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County clerk defends decision not to release gun permit info

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    Dennis Sant 'not backing down'

  • Duration 6:14
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I am not refusing.

Because I want to be some sort of upstart.

I'm refusing because I could not live with myself if one of my pistol permit holders -- Putnam county.

Had to face a dangerous situation.

Well that was Putnam county New York clerk county clerk Dennis -- explaining a short time ago during a news conference -- he will not.

Hand over the names of gun permit owners in his county.

To the journal news.

Newspaper.

That paper created a national controversy.

When -- decided to publish online maps detailing the names.

And addresses.

Of thousands of gun permit holders lawful gun permit holders into neighboring counties.

Mr.

-- argued while the paper had the legal right to get the records perhaps.

He thought the decision to publish them was wrong and you heard him there explaining in part why.

Dennis Santa joins me live right now Denis thank you very much for being here we appreciate it.

You've become a national figure in just about a week and I can tell you a lot of our viewers -- going to be very interested to hear from you.

Do you believe do you actually believe that they have the legal right to this information the journal news.

Well actually the way the law is written yes they have the legal right for for this information.

And so what went when she determined that how did you get from that point to the point you are today which is nonetheless.

You're not releasing.

Well -- actually.

The outcry from Westchester and Rockland county was a big Chris waiter on how -- handled the request for information.

Could you ask me that again didn't just what -- just can't -- -- on -- more.

More on your reason why why not give it over if you think it's legal.

What you know if you looked at -- red flags on Google map you can take Google Earth.

And actually go right into their driveways right on their front war it's actually read the lights and -- on their car.

It's a terrible invasion of privacy.

And it puts.

Our people in the harm's way.

We have women that have.

Orders of protection.

Against -- is whether it be their spouse or significant other.

Or -- -- stalking.

And I wasn't going to -- allow the people in Putnam county to have to endure that type of that scrutiny.

And yet and and let me play devil's advocate here though because that that the other side will -- -- There's the rule of law and no one is above it and if you don't like to -- got to take it up with the legislators.

You and you know Dennis sand -- doesn't get to overrule the law as it now stance.

Well you know that's a good question and and there is a rule of law there's also right and wrong.

And we have had.

Senator Greg ball an assemblyman Steve -- who are working on legislation as we speak right now to present.

What do you make of we have does senator -- on the program yesterday he's outraged by this and this that doesn't understand this journalist he he claims to very far left newspaper he says left in the -- times.

And he says there's clearly an agenda here in the -- they are not necessarily trying to help people to try to shame people.

What kind of feedback have you gotten from the folks in Putnam county.

All it's been wonderful -- we've gotten over 327.

Phone calls.

Not one in support of the newspaper printing this information.

But I can tell you the people that call me a very emotional.

Very thankful that we've made this -- and it's good for the people Putnam county.

We talked yesterday when I had senator bond program about the danger.

Not just to the gun owners in this information being published but to those who don't have guns.

Who now have been publicly outed as not happening.

That kind of weapon in their home I mean you speak of domestic violence victims one of the ones who don't have the guns and now.

Their abusers are well aware of that information in Westchester.

County at least.

-- -- glad you brought that up that that was certainly a a major part of me taking this particular stand.

That did not -- -- is now you can look in Google map and look down the street it's it's a roadway to those who have.

Weapons and those who do not so now they've given that type of road map to criminals.

And we have retired police officers narcotics officers from west Jarrett Westchester Rockland county who are just devastated.

That their homes and families are now in jeopardy and they fear for the lives.

Yeah there was a similar issue a disclosure in the state of Tennessee awhile back in and MIT Carnegie melon melon performed a study about the effects of it.

They concluded that burglars started shifting.

To the homes of non gun owners after the publication of the gun owners' names and so there is danger inherent in doing this kind of thing I want to ask you this.

For folks who are who have.

Follow the law register you know gotten their license to carry a gun to have a gun.

Did they have to give their home addresses -- was there any way for them to -- protected themselves from this results.

Well actually they go through very extensive background check even before -- -- recommended.

To be.

Judge to approve this a pistol permit.

There was no way around -- they had in their home -- -- We have they they had to give their home addresses they just in the expected to end up on -- social media.

They'd they didn't expect any of this to happen in their lives and before and I -- -- tragedy for a laid out.

What if anything we think it would make you turn over the last.

You gonna have to bringing me into court -- and we'll just go the whole nine yards on this situation and I'm not backing down.

Dennis thanks for being here.

Megan thank you very much for your time our season.

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