And compares concealed weapons owners with Sex Offenders:
One day after igniting a firestorm of criticism, The Roanoke Times decided Monday to remove from its Web site a list of Virginians licensed to carry concealed weapons.
The list, published as part of an opinion column about open records that ran Sunday in the newspaper’s New River Valley Current section, was taken down Monday afternoon out of concern that it might include names that should not have been made public, president and publisher Debbie Meade said.
The list, which included both the names and street addresses of about 135,000 Virginians with permits to carry concealed weapons, was linked to a column by editorial writer Christian Trejbal that ran in the Current section.
The papers story is that it isn’t about carry permit holders, it was about “open records.” Yeah right, that’s why the paper published 135,000 names. If its about open records then they should print ever publlish every public document available. Otherwise why did they pick on the gun owners.
Of course I’m also a bit skeptical considering that the writer compared carry permit holders with sexual offenders. How exactly are they alike?
The story suggest that permit holders may take measures against the paper. I think that’s a great idea. I think they should publish a list of every newspaper employee and where THEY live and their phone number. I think that people should feel free to call the Editor and Publisher at home during reasonable hours and politely explain that they don’t appreciate her violating their privacy.