Indy Paper to Print CCW List

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Columnist Dennis Ryerson announced in his column last Sunday that the Indianapolis Star's website will be hosting a database (compiled by the Star) of the names and addresses of all Firearm Carry Permit holders in the state of Indiana. I sent Mr. Ryerson and the editor of the Star the following letter:

Mr. Ryerson,

I am writing you concerning your column that suggested the Star would be launching a database of Firearm Carry Permit holders. I feel that this is an irresponsible act on behalf of the Star. I understand that this information already exists in the public domain, however it should not be readily available to everyone. Publishing names and addresses of citizens who own and are licensed to carry handguns seems like in invitation for robbery or home-invasion. Why would the Star want to endanger it's subscribers? I choose not tell every person I meet that I own a handgun, and I don't want others telling anyone I own a handgun. The vast majority of Firearm Carry Permit holders in Indiana are safe, upstanding citizens that have passed a State (and in some instances city or county) background check and are deemed responsible enough to be able to carry a handgun. If the Star wants to launch such a database, then that is their decision. I hope they have considered the possibility of legal action being taken against them if it ever is proven that their database was used by criminals to target law-abiding gun owners for theft or robbery or worse. If and when I see such a database published by the Star, I will no longer patronize the Star, or any of Gannett's other subsidiaries, in the form of subscriptions or advertising.
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Any thoughts or opinions on the rationale or repercussions of such a database?
 
When I'm done typing this, I will double-check and make sure the paper you mention is owned by Gannett. I will then e-mail Gannett (if you're right) and tell them that I will no longer patronize their services if said list is published. I don't know how many e-mails it will take to change things, but I know mine and yours alone won't do it.
 
Here's the letter I sent to Gannett:

It has come to my attention that the Indianapolis Star intends to publish a list of CCW holders' names and addresses on its website. If this list is published, I will be very careful to avoid your company's products and services in the future.

Publishing this information serves no practical purpose other than to isolate, and attempt to vilify, those who would exercise their right to carry a concealed weapon after fulfilling all legal prerequisits. Publishing this list has the potential negative consequence of singling out CCW holders for burglary and theft.

Please tell me your company is more responsible than this.

Sincerely,
Rob Chemberlin
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Hope you don't mind me jumping in on this.
 
I called the NRA Legislative Center and reported it. They said they would look in on it. I don't know if they'll actually address it or not. I also informed the Star I'd never do business with them again if they pursue the matter.
 
How would he even get a list of names? Is it information available to the general public? I sure the heck hope not! Especially the addresses!!!:eek:
 
Perhaps someone should do some research and post the names and addresses of all the staff writers and senior management of the Indianapolis Star on a pro-gun website. My guess is that Mr. Ryerson would probably feel differently when its his privacy and security in jeopardy.
 
When Mississippi started issuing firearms permits in 1990, the Clarion Ledger started publishing a list of the new permit holder's names and addresses. The paper, which has been owned by Gannett since 1982, claimed that the information was a matter of public record and of interest to the subscribers.

IIRC and please remember that the CRS has kicked in pretty well around here: 8^) The paper was fairly quick to stop publishing the addresses of the new permit holders but the names continued to appear for a good while.
The argument of giving thieves the address where they could steal a firearm
is valid. I'm not sure if the Department of Public Safety or the Paper got the message first.
 
That's outrageous!:mad:
What do they give as a reason for publishing such info?
Being public record is irrelevant.
I e-mailed Gannett and The Star.
Columnist Dennis Ryerson announced in his column last Sunday that the Indianapolis Star's website will be hosting a database (compiled by the Star) of the names and addresses of all Firearm Carry Permit holders in the state of Indiana.
There can be no other reason to do this than to advance an anti-gun agenda on the part of all those involved in this decision.
Permit holders are law abiding citizens exercising their right to bear arms.
If they weren't, why bother getting a permit?
And you can just imagine the lawsuits if this info is used to help commit breakins and robberies.
If the Star proceeds with these plans, I will vigorously alert all of my clients, venders, etc to cease doing business with Gannett and any of their affiliates.
Or perhaps we'll just put names and addresses of Mr. Ryerson, his editor and staff out into cyberspace and see what happens.
I suggest you folks think it over.
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Every little bit helps!
 
Other than an invasion of privacy, I fail to see the problem. Are you ashamed that you have a CCW? Do you really think that the BG's you are protecting you and your family from are going to recognize you from a name in the paper and get the drop on you? Or is it that you don't want your neigbors to know and then they won't let their kids play with your kids? (These kind of neighbors I can do without in the first place) One downside I can see is that it provides the BG's with a list of names of where they might be able to steal a gun. Of course the other side of this coin is it provides them with a list of who to avoid because the homeowner is armed.
 
The only other group that I can think of that a paper would compile a registry database of is Sex Offenders.

It's all about public perception.
 
The only other group that I can think of that a paper would compile a registry database of is Sex Offenders.
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To name a few:

Marriages
Divorces
Graduations
Births
Deaths
Elected Officials (But I don't agree with publishing address of LEO's)
Bankruptcies
Etc.

However, I also agree that the reason a paper would publish a CCW list is either for the "sensationalism" or to promote their own anti-gun agenda.
I can't see why it would be of any interest to anyone except for the above reasons. Technically they could publish a list of licensed drivers or registered voters, but I doubt if that would raise enough interest to pay for the ink used to print it.
 
That list is generally things that one would contact the paper for to have them include, they don't go off on their own to publish these things, but instead provide a forum that people can contribute to.

If I am in the Indianapolis star with my CCW info and address, can I get them to add ".. who is a fine upstanding citizen who keeps a gun in the car for those times when he is moving large sums of cash alone from his branch office to his headquarters each Friday night at 9:30pm." ;)
 
Well, DUH!!, Einstein! "Oh, I just cut your balls off, sir, but other than that, I pretty much left you alone."
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Your point is taken, (however crudely put). I withdraw my statement about privacy. After all, it’s a matter of public record. (One of the prices we pay for the FOIA.)

That list is generally things that one would contact the paper for to have them include, they don't go off on their own to publish these things, but instead provide a forum that people can contribute to.
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Our paper prints them pretty much as a matter of course. Nothing special about them.

".. who is a fine upstanding citizen who keeps a gun in the car for those times when he is moving large sums of cash alone from his branch office to his headquarters each Friday night at 9:30pm."
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How about.."who is an extremely paranoid citizen that is likely to blow away anybody that looks crosseyed at him." :D :D ;)
 
Update !!!

I received an email from Mr. Ryerson this morning in response to the one I sent him. Here is a copy.

Dennis Ryerson said:
Nick:



Thanks for your message. We do not want to do anything that would put people in jeopardy. We would, for example, consider handgun permits by zipcode without identifying address. We have several options we can consider.

Dennis
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Well I guess that means that when you get a CCW permit you also need to make sure your address isn't listed in the phone book. (Or get a PO Box.)
I notice he didn't go into why they are doing it in the first place.:barf:
 
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