Memphis Newspaper Goes Public With Gun Owner Information
If a newspaper posts a database of public information, are they wrong? Second Amendment advocates think that the Memphis newspaper that posted a database of gun owners has stepped over a line and they are not happy. They believe it is no one’s business if they own a gun.
Tennessee is one of several states whose gun permits are considered public access. This means that anyone can find out if you own a weapon, it is their right as a member of the public. By making this information widely available through an online database, the Commercial Appeal has just made it much easier to get to the information.
This heavily traveled website, according to this article from The Tennessean, has seriously ruffled some feathers. Gun owners feel this increases their risk of burglary and does not make them feel safe. Others claim that knowing who owns a gun does the opposite, making them more comfortable.
Regardless of the position taken on the subject, if the gun permit information is considered public information, there’s not a whole lot that can be done. Despite this, the newspaper has been inundated with complaints from people not happy about the release of information online.
One thankful citizen remarked that the database helped her find out her stalker, a convicted felon, owned a firearm. Apparently this realization makes her thankful the resource is there, letting her know for certain of the risk she is under.
Owning a gun is not against the law. On the contrary, we are guaranteed the right to own a firearm by the 2nd Amendment. It is understandable why some people who own firearms are uncomfortable with this then, making information that they don’t believe should be public, highly accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a glimmer of curiosity.
Gun crimes do exist, despite our right to bear arms. There are a number of weapons that are against the law and those that are legal are tightly regulated. Facing criminal charges for a weapons offense is a serious matter and one that should involve the counsel of an experienced attorney.
If you are facing weapons charges and want some legal direction, call today for a consultation on your case.
