Toledo's NBC24 goes against wishes of 88% of viewers, publishes CHL list

On Thursday, September 9, NBC24 (WNWO Toledo) republished a list of Lucas County CHL-holders on its website. The list had previously been published by the Toledo City Paper.

In a statement published with the list of 650 names, the television station openly admits to violating the will of the Ohio General Assembly:

"...the law says those permits are not public record. Only the media and law enforcement agencies have access to the list.

NBC 24 feels that our viewers should have the same rights that journalists have. So we've collected the names for you."

To view an awkward on-air report on the subject, click here.

As noted in the television report, the news station is offering a webpoll on its homepage (lower left) asking viewers if they should be able to find out who has an Ohio permit to carry a concealed weapon. Up to now, 88% of NBC24 viewers say no! When similar numbers came in to a poll conducted by a Ft. Wayne newspaper several onths ago, the editors reversed course. Yet NBC24 appears poised to forge ahead.

UPDATE! NBC24 removed the online poll from its website within hours after this story was posted.

Ohioans For Concealed Carry has learned that NBC24 is sending requests for the list of licensees to Sheriffs across Northwest Ohio. But some sheriffs may be prepared to deny the request. Two sources tell OFCC that NBC24 has not identified in their request that the information would be in the "public interest", as required by state law.

Developing...