Letter to the Editor: [Publishing my private] info was 'shameful'

June 25, 2004
Sidney Daily News

Shameful is what I think of The Sidney Daily News for publishing the names and addresses (of law-abiding citizens) of the CCW permit holders. I feel the newsworthy story ended with the statistical facts of how many permits have been issued. A newspaper like SDN is one of the reasons why the lawmakers had such a hard time passing the CCW bill. SDN has abused its authority in listing names and addresses.

The follow-up story states SDN felt that people have a right to know if their neighbors have a CCW permit. This is so far from the truth because those who did get a permit already had guns in their home. So why would it make any difference now that they can legally carry them? I think if SDN is going to start such a practice, they should also list the following:

o First, each week when someone is released from jail or prison, their name and address should be listed in the paper so the neighbors can protect themselves from true criminals (non-law-abiding citizens).

o The second item that SDN should print is the name and address of all the people that vote (again, law-abiding citizens) in each election. That way we can try to shame our neighbors who have not voted into exercising their civic duties.

Also in the second story, SDN stated that Sheriff O'Leary was unclear as to what he could and could not release. Well, it does not take a lawyer to understand that "name and county of resident" means just that. Not the full address. There is no confusion in the law. The reason " county of resident" is listed that way is because not all CCW permit holders that receive their permits from a county actually live in that county. I was trying to be a good Shelby County citizen and spend my money locally, but never again. Next time, I will go out of the county.

Larry D. Logan

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