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Duel over gun data between newspaper and Putnam County, NY

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    Clerk refuses to release names of gun permit owners

  • Duration 6:58
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This transcript is automatically generated

The new developments in the small town fight getting national attention over gun ownership and privacy.

In Putnam county New York it's just north of New York City.

It all began with a newspaper deciding to publicly identify thousands of local gun owners.

By publishing online interactive maps detailing their names and hold addresses.

In two neighboring counties Rockland county Westchester -- again just north of New York City.

But when the paper asked Putnam county for the same information.

They were told now.

Officials in Putnam county stood their ground and are currently refusing to hand over any -- got information they believe the safety of their constituents is an issue.

We have reached -- several times to the journal news and to its parent company -- so far we've received no response they remain invited to come on -- program -- to hear from them.

Joining us right now is Mary -- no doubt she's the Putnam county executive.

-- on thanks so much for being here yeah I think that's so yesterday we had your your county clerk -- He's he answers to Mary -- he's leveled out and he's standing -- says I'm not gonna do it but you're.

Sort of more important -- all due respect him because you could reverse them and you're not going to have.

Well actually Dennis.

I suppose really and in.

The way we look at is -- colleagues together and done Dennis has been serving as our Kenny -- since 1978.

And he stood up for the people of -- -- many times in many different issues and so we stand shoulder to shoulder on this I think.

Do waited this will roll -- tonight first and then I become the appeal offices.

After that and the plan is we're going no retreat no surrender.

Now the journal news says it has the legal right to these to this information it deserves to know it has the right to know where all the gun the pistol permit owners live.

And what their names aren't they're prepared to publish -- as they did with those in Westchester County of Rockland county right.

-- Dennis admitted on the program yesterday he also believes they have the legal right but he just doesn't think that this is morally right because people could be put in danger.

I ask -- same question I ask him.

What gives you the right to overrule.

The rule of law for better or worse as it's set New York State.

Well we're challenging it.

May not necessarily look overruling it from our perspective right -- -- that a challenge it's about raising the awareness of privacy and protection and and the results of releasing these names you know putting our constituents at risk.

I think you know as the putt and getting executive and as citizen in the United States of America we all have the right to challenge.

Laws and to let them go through the due process if you will.

-- and you know Paramount to me to my oath of office other.

You know alongside of upholding the law is protecting does citizens we have a lot of first responders in -- -- A lot of law enforcement officials a lot of veterans military personnel.

And releasing these names puts them and their families at risk.

Not only them but those homeowners who do not choose to have a weapon.

-- at home and -- -- that they want to broadcast that exactly who those homeowners are a lot of you are not subtraction you know easy to figure out who doesn't and to me those those individuals should be.

Equally if not more frightened about that the promise of of delivering this list.

We talked yesterday about the -- MIT did a study in Tennessee after similar document disclosure was made down there right and they -- who has guns and who doesn't and those who did not have guns their homes.

Were increased his targets of burglaries in the wake of the revelation of that information because the criminals are not all stupid.

I might take a look online SA RA why would I go to the house with a -- I don't think MIT had to do that -- I think that's just a quick common sense.

Thought process but but why not say look the law.

You know unfortunately in your view does that it requires the disclosure but.

There's a way around this and we can go to the state legislate Norris and I note senator state senator and I'll borrow the Ventura -- -- -- can't go to him and you say change the -- change it -- to it hit because -- -- -- -- has an exception saying.

You don't have to give it telemarketers were just trying to -- well -- -- calls -- but it doesn't have an exception for you don't have to give it to journalists who are just being nosy wanna you know publicly shame but gun owners thought.

I think they're just being nosy either I think they're using a for profit I think that that's the really the underlying thing that really has this most disturbed.

Is that there -- to put profit.

In front of the protection and safety of the residents many of which of their -- Subscribers.

And you know that it did first reaction was -- that they want this.

To need that you I think that there are looking to sensationalize.

A horrific story.

To take the story to a different angle -- to keep it moving.

You don't amp up their circulation that's profit.

And that's one of the exceptions that that we're gonna hold onto interstate and -- think I may have a loophole in a lot written you know outside of the privacy and protection belief and -- it's a great time to talk about that invasion of privacy with.

You know technology being the latest social media social networking and you know really have to I think he -- privacy right in and what happens as a result of that.

Are people put it at risk our our our law enforcement our first responders.

Their families are they and -- and and the woman.

The women -- you know being stopped his been a victim -- -- to the domestic violence his name is now out there and who's terrified.

You know -- it's all about this is a great time to talk about.

You know why is information available just just can't be just because he can be its -- On -- and it's one thing to have it available at the county clerk's office for somebody to go down do the research find the names.

It's another to make -- so readily available on an interactive live online map that any.

Would be -- can look at but I want to ask -- -- how are you willing to take the fight because they don't don't be ready to pursue you legally.

Shouldn't that's you know I think that that's the proper way to go with this I'd like to see it go that way.

And in -- parallel track -- our.

Senator Greg ball an assemblyman Steve -- looking to craft.

Legislation and modify existing legislation and just give me a lot of talk in -- now that gun control.

We're gonna take this all the way I think it's a terrific national.

Discussion about privacy and how privacy and and personal safety and protection are today with social media and social class question of the court orders you to turn over the information we do it.

And I -- -- probably.

She is.

If the court asks us to turn it over her.

I'm gonna say right now we'll take we'll see what the next step would be if we -- if we chose not to it would -- here with me right now.

It's here with me to say no this isn't right it's here with me right now to know that I'm standing.

On the side of right and we're on firm ground when it comes to.

Making sure that our people are safe and protected.

-- -- -- thank you so much for being here thanks Megan we'll continue to following kid and we're taking your thoughts on a Twitter was on fire with this story yesterday still taking your thoughts at Megyn Kelly let me know -- bank.

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