Should the fact the you have a HCP be public information?

[Billjr]

My opinion is that no way in hell should it be public knowledge. I bring this up because i got a bulk mail letter yesterday from the Committee to Elect John M. L. Brown for Judge of the Seventh Circuit. It came from Phillip Robinson, attorney at Law. It starts out:
Dear Handgun Permit Holder...the states..Like you, John holds a Handgun Carry Permit.

If a mailing house can get the list of HCP's then anybody can.
It is nobody else'e business if I have a permit.
If I was a criminal, it would give me a list of homes I knew had guns in them. All I would have to do is wait for the person to leave and break in and steal their guns.

Does this bother anybody else, or is it just me?????

Bill, JR

[marauder]

it bothers me too. it's no-one else's business whether i have a permit to carry or not. most will scream freedom of information act but to that i say "ok since you know i have a permit i want to see your underwear drawer" it's a good start to the debate.

[stovepipe]

I got the mailer too... 'Was planning to call tomorrow to see where he got his information. I'm very disturbed this info is being shared.

Stove

[marauder]

i never got anything in the mail can you post the number because i want to call him too. i want to get to the bottom of this pronto we must stop this leak.

[stovepipe]

I just spoke with Mr. Robinson concerning his source of permit holder information... As it turns out, he purchased a CD with the permit holders information from the TN Dept of Safety...

I called the Dept of Safety to verify and was told that permit holder information IS available to anyone under the "Open Records Law," TCA-10-7-503. Was told the information provided was name and address only. SS# and criminal history info was not included.

This is very disturbing. Appearently, there was a ruling handed down that made this information available under the TCA law. -- What can we do to stop this information from being given out? Reveiw the ruling?
Stove

[Billjr]

Stove,

Thanks for the leg work. I thought the permit info fell under fell under the open records law, but wasn't sure.

John - What can we do to get the permit info out from under the Open Records Law.

Thanks,

Bill, Jr

[stovepipe]

It almost sounds like it's open to interpretation. The lady I spoke to a the DOS (also a permit holder) was concerned about giving out the information. She sent it "upstairs" for an opinion, and was told it was, indeed, public information.

Would be good if we could get a hold put on this until we get this settled. Otherwise, there may be a rush of people / media obtaining this info before we get it changed. - Assuming we can change the opinion.

Stove

[johnharris]

It has been well known since 1994 that the handgun records are public information. Newspapers in Nashville have even gone so far as to obtain the database and publish the list of permit holders with addresses in the newspaper. (I have not seen it in several years but know that it has happened at least 2 times).

What can we do? If you look back over email alters in the past and Sentries you will see a history going back many years to make that list confidential. Who opposes it - liberal democrats. Why - newspaper and the media do not want it closed.

How can we force it through - more members and more active members. Get as mad as you want, if we do not have the numbers of members (the NRA has backed the bill as well) who are willing to call, raise pack money, run in elections, etc. things will stay as they are because the media - like it or not - carries a lot of weight at the legislature.

[SomeGuy]

[MitchSchaft]

[johnharris]

Packing is wrong. We have tried repeatedly (and will continue to try) to make these records confidential but the Democrats (at the urging of the news media) will not support it.

[SomeGuy]

Is there a way for us to get the information of every HCP holder?

Sounds like a great way to get a list of prospective TFA members.

[johnharris]

Last time I checked, the list cost less than $100 (not sure why) and was provided on a CD. We purchased it about 6 or 7 years ago when there was approximately 100,000 permit holders. TFA mailed to every 5th one on the list (approximately 20,000 mailings) at a cost of about 8,000. I think we picked up enough new members to just about cover the cost of the mailing. I would like to do it again but at about .25 to .30 per mailing, the costs add up quickly.

[SomeGuy]

Can the list be broken into sections (counties)? And then have chapters raise the funds for an area mailing?

[johnharris]

I recall that the list had cities and zip codes - obviously. I seem to recall at one time it did have counties but I have not seen one in about a year so don't hold me to that.

Great idea on the chapters funding some of the mailings as a local option. It would also help profile the chapters.