Ore. sheriff fights disclosure of concealed gun permit info

[Caveman]

HILLSBORO, Ore. - Washington County Sheriff Rob Gordon is warning holders of concealed gun permits that he may be forced to release their personal information to the public based on a recent court order.
The order stems from a case out of Medford where teacher Shirley Katz wanted to bring a gun to school. She argued she needed a gun to protect herself from her ex-husband.
Last year a judge ruled against her - saying the school district has the right to forbid employees from having guns on school property.
In April, the Jackson County sheriff was ordered to release a list of all the concealed handgun license holders to a Medford newspaper. The case is now before the Oregon Court of Appeals.
In the meantime, Gordon plans to send letters Friday to about 10,000 concealed handgun license holders in his county. He wants them to respond whether they want their personal information kept confidential and whether they applied for the license to protect their personal safety.
The sheriff believes the license holder information is exempt from the state's public records law if people get the license for safety.
An Oregon court decided that there is no evidence that people get the licenses for security measures, so the sheriff's office is hoping to prove them wrong.
Still, he warns in the letter that a court may order the release of the information regardless. Gordon said several groups are asking for the information, including the media and "other groups related to sporting and hunting."
"As your sheriff, I refused to disclose that information because I believe many people obtain a concealed handgun license for personal security and would not want that information made public," he writes in the letter. "I also resist disclosing personal information because of the continuing identity theft risks."
David Frazier, owner of Beavercreek Armory, said it is his right to quietly carry a gun and he is upset that it could be released to the public.
"It kind of disturbs me that people are wanting to out people," he said. "It's obvious that it's none of their business. It's a private matter between me and the sheriff's department."

[lewisipso]

What a load of sh!t

[Pinki]

If I recall they printed a list of concealed carry permit holders in Virginia not too long ago. It is absurd.

[narcodog]

Ahhh, the left coast strikes again.

[Odd]

First I would like to praise the Sheriff for refusing to turn over these records without a fight.

I'm curious on a point of law if anyone can enlighten me.

The sheriff believes the license holder information is exempt from the state's public records law if people get the license for safety.

I'd also question 'safety' from another angle, suggesting it is against 'public safety' to publish names (and thereby addresses) from which a criminal could obtain a handgun at his leisure. Should we publish the owners of 50" plasma TVs as well? Assuming there is a public interest to be satisfied, beyond politics, why should the public have more access to information on people who are looking to protect themselves than anyone else?

[IndianaFuzz]

Are they just wanting the sheriff to release the names of people with permits, or are they also wanting to release info such as addresses, etc.?

[Ducky]

Are they just wanting the sheriff to release the names of people with permits, or are they also wanting to release info such as addresses, etc.?

A name can get you an address and more with either a phone book or the internet. Either way, it's a bad idea.

[IndianaFuzz]

I suppose though for someone like me, it wouldn't matter. I don't even have a valid gun permit anymore, since I don't need one for being a cop. But for civialians, it would really suck to have anyone knowing that you have guns in your house. Yes, it could act as deterrent when someone appears to be home, but if they aren't home, it's an invitation to break into a house to look for guns.

[Willowdared]

Interesting case that started it all.

Having worked at a school, and put on high alert on several occasions due to DV situations amongst parents of kids, maybe what needs to be revealed is TROs?

Not to hijack the thread (too much) but for parents out there, how would you feel if your child's teacher was so in fear of an Ex they needed to carry? Haven't we had DVs played out in our schools with deadly consequences? I know many TROs include workplace with distance, but do you think a school should be advised?

[Xiphos]

I think teachers with CCW permits ought to be able to carry in schools anyway. At least my kids would be safe from homicidal maniacs. As it is now they would just be executed until the cops show up.

My kids teachers are well armed. They are home schooled.