KDRV Staff
July 29, 2010
MEDFORD, Ore. - A Jackson County ruling over the privacy of concealed weapons permit holders is getting attention in other counties.
The Deschutes County sheriff sent out 8,000 letters to permit holders asking if there's any reason someone else shouldn't know they have a concealed weapon.
In June, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters must release the names of concealed handgun permit holders requested by the Mail Tribune newspaper. The appeals court upheld a Jackson County Circuit Court ruling which determined that concealed handgun licenses are public records. The court said those records are not exempt from disclosure unless the sheriff can prove each individual licensee is exempt from disclosure.
The Deschutes sheriff is asking for owners to specify why their information should remain private. The sheriff wants the information before a records request is made so those who are protected under Oregon revised statutes can remain private.
Deschutes Co. handgun permit holders asked whether they want info released
July 29, 2010
Comments
Handgun permit holders
I know Sheriff Winters went to great lengths to keep everyone's privacy rights. If these are made public what would be the point of having a handgun permit? Dishonest people would know where to go to get a weapon. Why not just wear them on your hip then all would know you are armed? Sounds like a plan to me.
Handgun permit holders
I am surprised there is even a question about if the information should be released! After we release the names of all the concealed holders we might as well release the names of all undercover air marshals, and other law enforcement officers.
Granted this is in another state, but I once read (on this site) a story about the sheriff of Modoc County, in extreme Northeastern California. The story claimed that his county had the highest number (per capita) of concealed permit carriers. When asked why he stated that it was so hard to patrol the entire county he felt better knowing he had trained, law abiding citizens armed and moving about the county as a deterrent to criminal activity.