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Is the outing of gun owners 'right'?

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    Reaction from county officials to newspaper requests

  • Duration 4:45
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We're not talking about whether it's legal but whether it was right.

For the journal news to publish the names and addresses of registered gun owners.

Would -- the Westchester County clerk Tim I don't think and Putnam county clerk Dennis -- Gentlemen thanks for being -- -- this evening your both county clerks who both have the same job you both work -- New York State.

And you both responded to the journal -- foil request freedom of information request differently Tim.

It was the information you gave the journal lose which pretty much -- started this national outrage why do.

We did it because it's the right thing to do under New York State lost the penal law in New York State says that the names and addresses.

Of pistol permit holders Selby public information.

No doubt about it let me just add my confirmation of that and by the way I was a judge who would sign pistol from -- it's not for everybody but.

Especially the guys said he needed a pistol permit for a hunting and fishing.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It is public information but what does the journal news want from view the journal news when it everything they wanted to know what types of guns people had how many they had -- -- know what judge signed.

They wanted to know everything that is included in an application for a pistol permit.

We now know you have satellite information you have all of that we do anything that affected by the county clerks have the discretion of releasing it I did not I thought they were going way too far additional information right relieved I didn't want why didn't just speak to them and say look I'm not gonna give you everything I'm just given the names and address but -- with the -- process and my -- officer responded them in writing.

We got an opinion from the county attorney -- And who said that we should release the information things are right.

Dennis and county -- same job you know you said no way Jose why.

Well I thought it wasn't great invasion of privacy.

-- -- Watch what happened in Westchester and Rockland county.

My office was flooded -- phone calls we had probably 400 phone calls within three days what what.

You think people are at risk if you get that information out.

Pardon do you think that if you gave the information out of gun owners in their addresses that they would be in danger -- Absolutely why what you know we gave the are criminals -- roadmap.

Technology is really.

Different -- it was twenty years ago thirty years ago when the laws were written.

Each one was place with a little red flag certainly my -- would had no idea what was gonna unfold.

But then he'd take Google -- and go right in the driveway.

Exceed their car look at the -- and -- what an invasion of privacy.

And the heart wrenching stories that I heard from all the people.

In my neighboring counties of Westchester and Rockland and maybe pause.

I gathered all of my attorneys together.

Are you said no way so you know that -- gonna go you know what's gonna go to the cracks and rightly so you're set it up for -- appeal in court action ultimately.

Now gentlemen dear is a section of the who what is -- the public officers law.

Did says if that is an unwarranted invasion of personal property.

That you don't have to release the information.

Wind when they didn't get the additional stuff from you Tim might Dolly from Westchester but were they angry -- they come back -- and say we want it.

Think they came back to if they did not push it hard because they knew that they were gonna get because it's plenty why they thought they want this impulse come on ten so those papers we know that they don't write about what -- -- let -- think.

At what price -- they want to sell newspapers enough to prostitute themselves in order to you.

Increases circulation and with a newspaper that is certainly not the -- -- Putnam and Westchester or Rockland county.

Did you think gentlemen I -- -- you guys are Smart guys who run for office you're you're elected public official to think these nit -- sat around -- table and someone said.

She what if somebody gets killed as a result of it and what's your excuse for needing the actress and the type of -- and the judge you signed the gone.

They had no clue and also tell you why.

I'm Dave young they don't identify rightful owners in this somebody could -- -- -- -- and be staring at a shotgun.

-- what does it mean forget about the money I think about it.

Do they not think.

They they sell newspapers.

Janine they took our horrible tragedy.

-- neighbors in Newtown.

And they sensationalize.

Dominated.

They justified.

Them and do what I thought -- no definitely -- to to a new town I'm not going to hot so ever all right gentlemen you know Tim it felt it had to do it -- my county clerk but.

You know what that -- my hat's -- to you thank all right and to you for not giving it all of that amendment suspects are being hundreds and thank you for haven't -- -- -- --