Register 'doing it for the readers' - who keep saying they don't like it

12:10am Friday, July 06, 2007

The Sandusky Register has been extremely stingy on the number of letters to the editor published in response to its privacy-invading actions. But to date, each and every letter published has been supportive of gun owners.

Does anyone believe The Register would be holding back letters supporting their position if they were receiving them?

The following three letters appeared in the Thursday, July 5 edition of the newspaper, and are notable in that all three were written by women who, judging solely by the content of their letters, are NOT concealed handgun license-holders. These letters prove it isn't only gun owners who are outraged by the actions of the Sandusky Register editor Matt Westerhold, who is maintaining a confidential list of Ohio CHL-holders in five northern Ohio counties on the paper's website.

On the wrong side

Privacy vs. Democracy. The editor of the Sandusky Register seems to be
on the wrong side.

I believe in the privacy of a person. But apparently the editor of the
Sandusky Register does not.

Matt Westerhold needs to look at the crime in these Ohio counties.

The conceal carry permit holders are law abiding citizens. They have had
criminal background checks and training.

Since you printed the names of the conceal carry permit holders, you are
putting them and their families in danger of theft or, maybe, for their
lives. How will you feel when someone has to lose their life over your
decision to print their names?

Political purpose versus a life, Matt Westerhold. What side are you on?

The criminals of Ohio just got one up on the law abiding citizens
because of the editor of the Sandusky Register.

I was hoping to see more people having their conceal carry license to
help stop crime.

Vicki Kimberlin
Sandusky

'News' judgement lacking

To the "managing" editor of the Sandusky Register:

The role of a newspaper is to provide its readers with news reported
without bias. It seems as if that purpose has been pushed aside by our
local managing editor lately.

...[Regarding]the matter of publishing the list of CHL on the website. Your
justification said "We posted the information as a public service to
readers who want to know who among them has been licensed to carry
concealed weapons". Your readers spoke out that they did not want this
list. You further state "it would have been irresponsible not to make it
available to readers who have no other way to get it", yet in the
paragraph prior to this, you tell your readers that citizens may ask for
public records. If every citizen can gain access to it, your reasoning
is false.

Please consider your placement of future stories. Keep our newspaper a
newspaper of quality.

Virginia Noon
Sandusky

She'll start carrying

I would like to congratulate the Sandusky Register for publishing the
names of the law-abiding citizens that took the time to obtain a
concealed gun permit. While some would think this is a problem for
permit holders, the reverse is actually true. If you do not have a
concealed carry permit, criminals are now well aware of it. Criminals do
not seek out strong adversaries; they look for helpless prey. Thanks to
the Sandusky Register, they now know who is defenseless and who is
prepared. Since the Register pointed out who we are (by omission), for
the safety of my family, I am going to get my permit soon (and I'd like
to ask the Register to add my name to the list). If I were you I would
do the same.

Milla Kette, Huron
President
Grassroots American Values

Please consider making a donation to Buckeye Firearms Association NOW to help us STOP
this inexcusable attack on your rights. We need your help in this battle as we prepare to implement our next steps.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!

POLL: How do you feel about journalists publishing the names of CHL holders?

Continuing Coverage:
Sandusky Register Editor Matt Westerhold Declares War on Gun Owner Privacy

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? Who will guard the guardians?

It's About The Privacy & the Sandusky Register Secretly Employing Sex Offenders

What is the harm in publishing lists of concealed handgun license holders?

Letter to Sandusky Register Editor Matt Westerhold

Think the Register got too much private info? Records prove they wanted MORE

Former Trooper to Editor Westerhold: ''That's no public service''

CNSNews.com: Ohio Newspaper Under Fire for Outing Gun Owners

Sandusky Register on Privacy: What's good for me not good for thee

Rush Limbaugh praises Buckeye Firearms Assoc. response to Sandusky Register