Posted on 06/25/2007 2:38:37 PM PDT by Domandred
There has been an assault on open government in the General Assembly that threatens to create two classes of citizens -- those with access to information and those who do not have access.
That's what public records experts contend, and they say it goes to the heart of what makes for good government.
"It's the proverbial slippery slope," said Frank Deaner, director of the Ohio Newspaper Association and a lobbyist in the General Assembly. "It puts one class in a position to tell the other whether it can have access to information."
Deaner said politics is fueling numerous efforts to enact legislation that exempts information from public disclosure, including the state's concealed weapons law.
The weapons law prohibits members of the public from getting information about who has been granted licenses by the state to carry concealed handguns.
Other recent exemptions that have been pressed by state lawmakers include limiting access to coroner's reports and preliminary records, in addition to other documents and information about foster families.
"It's been a continual erosion in the definition of public records during the last three sessions of the General Assembly," Deaner said. "Post-911 security worries and public fear regarding ID theft are being used as excuses to exempt information."
Tim Smith, an attorney who is a public records expert and a journalism professor at Kent State University, shares Deaner's concerns. He said without public disclosure there's no way to assure programs are being properly administered.
"You can't automatically rely on government officials to carefully follow the requirements of the law," said Smith, referring to the concealed weapons law.
The CCW law exempts the disclosure of all information about the application process and criminal backgrounds of anyone who applies for license to carry a concealed handgun. It also exempts the names of those who have been granted a permit.
"If the records are private, I have to rely on the sheriff to make sure he's not making any mistakes," Smith said.
Deaner is concerned the trend to restrict access to public documents will continue and said open government is the basis for democracy.
"Where's the point when political leaders and the public come back to the realization that we live in a democracy?" he asked. "There's a little bit of pain that goes with that."
Supporters of the secrecy provision in the concealed handguns law contend making the information available will enable criminals to target them to steal their guns.
Gov. Ted Strickland's office told the Register Ohioans are better off not knowing who is licensed to carry handguns for that reason and also because criminals would then know who is not armed and those individuals could be targeted.
But Deaner said access to information is a bedrock of good government.
"It's not public information that causes harm to people, it's people who choose to do harm against others," he said. "If someone is motivated to do something like that, they're going to find a way to do it without the benefit of public records."
Staff reporter Chauncey Alcorn contributed to this story.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The decision to make the lists available to readers was made by the Register's managing editor. All inquiries should be directed to 419-609-5866 or mattwesterhold@sanduskyregister.com
CLICK HERE to view the Erie County A-L concealed carry list.
CLICK HERE to view the Erie County M-Z concealed carry list.
CLICK HERE to view the Huron County concealed carry list.
CLICK HERE to view the Ottawa County concealed carry list.
CLICK HERE to view the Sandusky County concealed carry list.
You know the drill.
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/contact_us/
Personal information of the writers is easily available.
The flaw in the argument is twofold:
1. It is a right of the people to keep and bear arms and therefore the government has no authority to license the keeping or the bearing. These are records that should not exist because the government has exceeded its authority.
2. This is not “government information” ... it is private information kept by the government. By this logic, health records at publicly funded hospitals should be available from a Google search.
This is just gun grabbers looking for ways to make it uncomfortable for people to own and carry guns.
Can they publish a list of who is getting food stamps? I may or may not want to help them with a cash gift.
If your name isn’t on the list, bad people may assume you aren’t armed.
If your name isn’t on the list, bad people may assume you aren’t armed.
If my name is on the list and a bad guy ,knowing I’m armed brings a weapon, guess who I will want my lawyer to talk to?
Great observation!!!
Does that mean the paper will be publishing individual tax returns and medical records?
Supporters of the secrecy provision in the concealed handguns law contend making the information available will enable criminals to target them to steal their guns.
Criminal ain't that damn stupid (well, some..)! They gonna roll' up on a dude KNOWN to carry a concealed weapon and try to steal it?
Step 1: Make women register to use their ‘constitutional right’ to abortion, just like they make gun owners register to carry a concealed weapon.
Step 2: Make list of women from step #1 a public record. Publish information online.
Step 3: Watch how vitriolic lefties and the media are to steps #1 and #2 even being proposed.
Did I read this corectly?
OH passed a law taking the lists from the public but exempted newspapers so this newspaper published the list?
Am I correct?
Got it in one. Mr. Deaner seems to not understand that the purpose of "open government" laws is for "the people" to track what their governments are doing---not other people.
Flash,
Just stole your idea and published it in their comment section.
.. and medical records.
They breath air
Of late, I've had second thoughts about seeking permission from the government to do what's already guaranteed in the constitution. Being put on a list only provides future reference for the grabbers when they inevitably come into power. They'll know where to knock first.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If it was public list I would want to be on it regardless of whether I had a weapon or not.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
They might go to an unoccupied home if they know a gun is there - guns are valuable on the street.
For about two years my license was expired and I continued to carry everyday. Finally, when I was pulled over for speeding and wondering how I was going to explain the gun on my ankle to the cop, I decided to renew my license.
The law is the law, whether I like it or not, and I'm not financially prepared to fight it to the Supreme Court. So my option to change the law is to support candidates who believe in and understand Constitutional Rights ... and oppose those who don't.
Fortunately, the cop just gave me a ticket and we didn't get into a discussion about the gun on my leg.
The decision to make the lists available to readers was made by the Register's managing editor. All inquiries should be directed to 419-609-5866 or mattwesterhold@sanduskyregister.comOhioans For Concealed Carry has a page of advice on this matter, and I strongly urge all Freepers to contact the newspaper staff and voice strong objections to this move.
If I had a CC permit, I wouldn’t mind all that much if everybody knew it. I might even put it on a tee-shirt.......
Yes! We could publish a "incorrect" list and just say we had a CC permit and let it go at that.........
Yes, but that is your personal choice. These people weren’t given the choice.
True, but public records are , well, public..........
On the other hand, there are folks who keep firearms in their houses and don't always secure carry permits. So the effect may well be that a burglar would make such an assumption and still get his @$$ blown away.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"You can't automatically rely on government officials to carefully follow the requirements of the law," said Smith, referring to the concealed weapons law.
No poop Sherlock. Like the government officials that don't follow the original meaning of the Second Amendment?
"referring to the concealed weapons law." What part of "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" does that fall under? Also, with no license required there's no record trail that can be used against the person that CCW.
About the only thing a person can count on government officials to do is to usurp power, prestige and garner unearned paychecks. I know this because virtually all of them do it. Lest I forget, they can be counted on to violate the oaths of office and constitution they swore to uphold.
If the records are private, I have to rely on the sheriff to make sure he's not making any mistakes," Smith said.
Spotting mistakes with regard to violating the Second Amendment? That's easy, if the sheriff requires a person to get a license to CCW from the sheriff then documenting the sheriff violating the Second Amendment is a good thing.
But Deaner said access to information is a bedrock of good government.
Honesty is the foundation for good government. Yes, I know it's obvious. And yet, Deaner overlooked it. Probably a result of his myopia. If Deaner means having a potential whistle blower shadow each member of congress as they talk to lobbyists then that would be a big help. Government officials are employed by the citizens. Because they're our employees we have a better position than saying if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to be concerned about.
For the sake of the Public Good, the state should publish a list of HIV positive people.
In the schools’ sex education classes, the HIV positive kids could be asked to stand, so that others’ safety is assured.
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