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New York county stands up to The Journal News
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Putnam officials refuse to release names of gun owners
- Duration 6:22
- Date Jan 11, 2013
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Putnam officials refuse to release names of gun owners
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A lot of back to Hannity now after the journal lose deliberately invaded the privacy of thousands of residents officials from one New York County bravely stood up to the paper.
And refused to release any information about the residents in Putnam county in New York who lawfully possess a firearm -- my next guest the Putnam county officials.
Held a press conference reiterating their position just last week stick -- I want the people of Putnam county can now.
That we firmly believe that the release of this information.
Would create an unprecedented.
Public safety issue.
I will not retreat from protecting you know -- -- -- surrender.
I'm a man who follows the rule of law.
We're not talking about the rule of law anymore.
Worth talking about endangering our citizens.
I hope it wasn't just to sell newspapers and increase circulation.
By putting over 40000.
People in those three counties.
In jeopardy well.
I'm not so sure that the journal news had been violated -- law when they've invaded the people's privacy.
And they subjective that.
Joining me now from Putnam county the county clerk tennis center and the executive county executive Mary -- -- good to see us thank you thank you before I want to thank you but there's a thought it was a very courageous stand.
And he did it for the safety of your residence and in spite of what it happened tell us give us the background.
Well we received a foil request and -- I can collect them.
And we're very much a team in Putnam county Amy consider ourselves to be you know colleagues.
And young.
Protecting the people line up holding the line we looked at this and said this is there's really no value to this we felt that.
Actually if we didn't give that information now we would be subjecting a lot of our constituents.
We would be subjecting them to safety -- have.
Good for you both you got the request originally I got the request and I sat on the for a few days with just before Christmas.
And I noticed what happened in Rockland and Westchester County.
My phone started ringing off the wall got 400 phone calls within three days of the published report.
And I was listings too many horror stories.
Women who had orders of protection.
Against abuses.
Of abusive husbands or spouses.
And they were exam concealed.
As part of the law.
And now they find their address and their name on a Google map.
-- -- -- every use earth Google didn't get right into that backyard right in the driveway those scary.
Varies from there a lot for a lot of people and and that's and a separate issue in and of itself here.
When you said no what was the reaction.
From that the request from the -- as well we haven't Rihanna did delivered our formal.
-- yet but of the press conference was pretty formal -- out I think we haven't done it in -- illegal format and down.
But you know I I just want to say that it was really a very quick response for both of us and our deputy county executive was -- was a no brainer via invasion of privacy immediately -- when she finished reading.
The requested paragraph -- in -- instant reaction is whoa.
In this is a complete invasion of privacy and was social media in social network and computer technology being what it is today.
We realized quickly that this will lead.
Information would just the just too much out -- -- and there would be too much exposure you know well.
Right decision obviously wasn't a reaction by the way from the people in Putnam county.
If -- decision it's been wonderful and matter of fact our government great sport from Westchester Rockland county resident.
But in Putnam county they would just elated that we would want to protect their right vanity.
The privacy and keep them from harm's way and had a nice and not just gun owners all -- not a gun -- -- I would just as responsive.
At the gun owners.
But but along those same lines there's a great sense of pride.
From the constituents that I've spoken to -- -- -- very proud that their elected officials have taken this battle on.
And you know Putnam counties a small count me you know we -- really only fifty miles north near the city.
But -- -- very proud counting we have a lot of first responders retired active.
Military personnel.
And today you know their concern runs deep not only -- there all their career they've been.
You know I found the putting the bad guys have enough and now the -- diagnose and -- Should have commented on that that there's taunting.
You felt there might be -- course you disagree a little bit -- judge Janine.
That might be -- course for the people who have been out.
Some of whom -- here with us I think we're on the right side of this you know -- that they -- you think there's any recourse for those that were -- in these other -- -- -- -- well.
If if it any any time that there's any.
-- incident that has.
Been as a direct result of the end of that release -- that information they're responsible -- live literally I would imagine absolutely I would want to volleying and and -- At this and they knew what they -- adorned right from the beginning John they knew that they were making the cessation of a terrible tragedy of -- name is just cross the border.
And they tried to intertwine that tragedy around to have a right to print this on Google -- So they place themselves in harm's way and I would suggest the residents to follow up on that.
And I would suggest that they did this for profit and you cannot.
You cannot.
Use those names if it is for profit that case law.
I think that -- the county clerk said about they took advantage of a horrific story they look to sensationalize.
It may look to him.
-- circulation which is profit.
-- and by the way from the opposite now correct a lot of the advertisements you see when you see the paper a lot of been pulled him -- That's the premarket.
Guys very brave decision the right decision and thank you both for being here things are just having -- for.