Concealed handgun permit applications; access to personal information. (HB2144)
Introduced By
Del. Dave Nutter (R-Christiansburg)
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
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Signed by Governor |
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Became Law |
Description
Concealed handgun permits; access to permittee information. Protects from public disclosure permittee names and descriptive information held by the Department of State Police for purposes of entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network. However, the information would still be available to law-enforcement agencies, officers, and agents in the course of law-enforcement duties, and nonidentifying statistical information would be available to the general public. Amends § 18.2-308 (“Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »
Outcome
Bill Has Passed
View Bill's History
Comments
Over the last few years some Virginia newspapers have used this information to publish the names and addresses of permit holders. While an interesting case balancing the freedom of information and the rights to privacy, it comes down to that it's just plain stupid to publish this list. This bill starts to correct that, but still leaves a backdoor for newspapers to get the information and publish it.
No one forces anyone to apply for a concealed weapon permit. If you want one you should be prepared for the public to know about it. I certainly want to know if any of my neighbors have one.
Concealed carry is for the purpose of self protection and in some cases...protection of others. That information is no one else's business...especially those involved in illegal activities. Carriers are; background checked and fingerprinted, experienced in handling and use of firearms and well aware of the concequences of their use. They are no danger to the public at large or to law enforcement officials. If a neighbor has a permit...good for them...and...lucky for you. And....you don't need to know....unless they want to tell you.
Even the most staunch anti-gun folks should be able to understand that if you allow a newspaper to publish a name and street of a CHP holder, with google/yahoo/mapquest, etc. it takes about 60 seconds to print out a map and directions to the house! Why not just put a sign up in your front yard that says "Hey, watch my house, when I leave, just come on in and steal my guns!!"
You would THINK that even the anti-gun folks would WANT to protect this information from the criminals. But then again, they live in a make-believe world where their criminals obey all gun laws...
This bill needs to be amended to protect ALL SOURCES of CHP holder information, not just the State Police release. This bill is worse than useless in its present form, because it appears to fix a problem, but in truth, does nothing.