Posted on 02/16/2006 4:27:18 PM PST by neverdem
Associated Press
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The public would lose access to the names of people with concealed weapons permits as part of a bill passed by the Kentucky House on Wednesday.
The measure, supported by the politically powerful National Rifle Association, would clarify that police cannot seize lawful gun owners' firearms during emergencies and disasters.
The bill cleared the House on an 89-7 vote and heads to the Senate.
Much of the debate centered on a provision that would make confidential the names of the thousands of Kentuckians who obtain concealed weapons permits. The proposal was opposed by the Kentucky Press Association during a recent committee hearing.
Currently, only the names of people with the permits are available. Their addresses and other identifying information are private.
On Wednesday, Rep. Jim Wayne said that knowing who can legally carry a concealed weapon can be a matter of public safety if a permit holder poses a threat. The Louisville Democrat said the proposal tilted too far in favor of individual rights.
"It astounds me why we continue to emphasize this over and over and over that the Bill of Rights says I can carry a concealed deadly weapon ... and everyone else be damned," he said.
The bill's supporters said it was appropriate to keep the names private.
"Pure and simply, it's none of my business if you have a carry concealed permit or not," said Rep. J.R. Gray, D-Benton.
Rep. Carolyn Belcher, D-Preston, said that other than law enforcement, "Who else has a need to know about that part of my personal life.'"'
James Bowling, a retired pipe fitter from Ashland, said he supported keeping the names of concealed-carry permit holders secret. Bowling, who was in the House gallery, said that kind of information should only be available to police.
Keeping permit holders' names public could make those people vulnerable, Bowling said.
"I think it should be private. I think policemen should know, but John Q public, no," Bowling said. "That should be private, absolutely."
Gray said that permit holders value the privilege of carrying concealed weapons and would do nothing to jeopardize it. "It's not the people who have the carry concealed permit that you have to worry about," he said.
Kentucky's had a concealed-carry law for about 10 years. There are more than 87,000 valid permit holders, said Kentucky State Police spokeswoman Maj. Lisa Rudzinski.
The bill also would clarify that an employer could not prevent an employee from taking a gun to work, as long as it stays in the employee's vehicle, said Rep. Bob Damron, D-Nicholasville, a leading supporter of the measure.
Wayne said that would weaken employers' ability to deal with dangerous employees.
The legislation is House Bill 290.
Associated Press writer Joe Biesk contributed to this report.
OK I guess...I'm sure the Islamofascist gun carriers love this too.
Bill would restrict access to names of concealed carry permits,....like,...credit card information....etc.,... (KY)
I look at it as strengthening the employees' ability to deal with dangerous employees.
Why would they?
Now let's see if they can get this through.
a Ky. Ping, Please
A TV station in Orlando did this also.
Didn't take long before the Station Manager's name, address and property data were spread across the net.
Public record is a double-edged sword.
Thanks for the link.
I guess you won't be robbing them anytime soon, eh?
Why would they?
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It's to their advantage that the public not know they have weapons. I would sure want to know what Muslims have them...wouldn't you? Like the ones threatening to kill Michelle Malkin.
Why would they need a concealed carry license to do that? They can obtain weapons legally or illegally without going through a concealed carry license backround check.
Most of the old freedom loving and liberty minded FReepers have long ago left and have been replaced by these clueless neocons.
People of evil intent, Muslim or otherwise don't seem to bother with concealed carry permits. Besides, if we are to live in a Constitutional land of liberty, no one needs to know who has arms. The hones man has a weapon and assumes the dishones man does too and acts accordingly.
You have entirely missed the point.
Indeed!
As usual, you are right on target with your comments. Sad, really.
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