Gun carriers want IDs kept secret

Saturday, March 18, 2006

March 18, 2006 -- Some lawmakers in Columbus say that gun owners have the right to privacy. That has triggered a question about the public's right-to-know. There are 70,000 Ohioans with conceal-carry permits and currently those names can be published against a gun owners will.

Many conceal-carry permit holders say they are defending their rights. "You should be able to have the right to choose whether you want your name published or not."

Toby Hoover is with the executive director of the "Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence." She says the public has the right to know who is carrying a loaded weapon in public and how they are using that weapon.

Technically the public is not allowed access to the names of Lucas County permit holders, but reporters have access. Reporters can get those names and publish them on a website or in the newspaper. If the public reads those publications, they then have access to the names.

13abc's reporter spoke to a correction's officer who has a conceal-carry permit. He was contacted by a released convict who saw his name on a conceal-carry list. The ex-con did a quick internet search and found the officer's phone number and home address. "He could have been waiting in my driveway when I got home from work."

Nothing happened to this officer, but some crime victims fear they will be attacked again and want their permit status kept private. This is an argument which Toby Hoover says misses the mark. "We have rights to know this and it's how we monitor ourselves."

Permit holders say if they use their weapons, only then should their identities be released to the media.

The Ohio Senate will consider whether permit holders can tell sheriff's departments not to release their names. Governor Taft says he will veto that type of restriction.

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