http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57562190/outrage-after-ny-newspaper-publishes-gun-holders-names-addresses/
(From APgov.org)
Did you hear about the newspaper that mapped out registered handgun owners?
I find it interesting and ironic. Your thoughts?
10 comments:
That's actually interesting, and there are multiple ways to look at it. It is a violation of privacy, but at the same time, it increases public awareness on how many people in their area owns a gun. The issue is, can you equate an individual's privacy to public safety? If you bought a weapon, as defense, you shouldn't have a problem with other's knowing about it.
Although the idea does increase public safety I think constitutionally, those arguing that since you legally bought a weapon others should be able to know about are wrong. Say this were to go to the Supreme Court, I think they were agree that just because its a gun it shouldnt be treated any different from other things you buy and keep in your house that you wouldnt want other people to know about. It kinda relates to the whole Griswald vs. Connecticut but this time deals with guns.
This brings up a similar issue that was rasied back in 2001 after 9/11, where people were starting to wonder if the government used such an attack to overstep its bounds. Following the shooting, the Democrats are using the chaos to push through new gun control legislation that may not have had a chance prior. There have been ideas that we should even arm teachers and now the names of everyone who owns a gun is online. WIth the rush to act on the sandy hook wave, no one has paused to think through each action. What if a teacher was the next shooter? What if someone who didnt have a gun now used this "database" to procure weapons for an attack?
The article really isn't an issue of first amendment constitutionality to me-- it was legal for the newspaper to republish information that was accessed from a public record authorized by the New York State legislature. Although the gun is private property, if the ownership procedure involved registering your name into a public record that can be accessed by anyone, well the person should have been well aware that that information can be accessed, although they are right to have never expected a revealing on such a great scale.
Morally, it was wrong for the newspaper to publish the information. I truly think they published with partly right (although misguided) intentions, they are effectively comparing anyone that owns a gun to the man who committed the atrocity at the elementary school. That's not right. People are being discriminated against, and having their lives put in danger.
I think an article like this is interesting. It brings up the fact that according to the first amendment, the newspaper had every right to publish that information (freedom of press) but it wasn't exactly ethical or morally right. It's kinda like the Westboro Baptist Church. They have the right according to the first amendment to ba jerks and pickett outside of funerals but it is totaly wrong that they do so. So I think people have a right to be upset that their names are being published but they have to understand that according to the first amendment, the newspaper had every right to do so. However, there is also an issue of a violation of privacy involved as well....
I don't know. I see why the newspaper would do something like that in the wake of multiple gun-related tragedies in the last few years, but at the same time, I feel like it wouldn't really realistically help much. While I'm sure there are people who want to know who around them has guns, it's also true that not every gun owner is a dangerous criminal or has intentions of being one. I see where they're going with this, but I feel like it's kind of the wrong approach. Also (I know this is going to make me a virtual social pariah here, but bear with me...), I was on Google news and I saw this article from Fox news that actually interviewed ex-burglars, who said a map like that would actually end up really helping thieves...while I'm definitely a bit more than sketchy about the bias in Fox news, it is another angle to consider.
People have the right to know this information, but at the same time, I feel like it's possibly putting gun owners' safety and reputation on the line unfairly, especially with such a charged atmosphere in terms of gun control right now.
The fact is it wasn't the allowance of guns throughout the nation that causes tragedies like this: it is the people themselves. Of course we all know the popular saying...guns don't kill people, people kill people... and it is true especially as more of these shootings happen. The fact is every politician is going to try to get on the better side of the issue by appealing to the voter base, but that is not the point. The point is sometimes tragedies happen, and it is the job of the government as well as the people to be aware of the possibility and do whatever possible to prevent them.
I dont see what the big deal is. I understand where the retired police officer is comming from but dealing with the others I dont see why they feel like this puts them in danger. Its not like there is a group of people out there looking to find and hurt gun owners, and besides they own a gun for protection. I feel like this goes againt their privacy but i dont think it is really putting the gun owners in danger like they were saying. I dont see what the bid deal is.
Personally, in my opinion, I think that though it is important to know where guns are in your neighborhood, it is a total violation of privacy and that names and addresses should not have been released. I think that it would have been perfectly sufficient to make a device or something that will tell you how many people own guns within a certain area without releasing personal information.
Granted that it's past Wednesday, I think this totally relates back to the first case we deliberated on Thursday. Public records are open for public use; they simply are distributing information that is easily accesible via online or the courts.
I have to agree with that fact that legally at least the newspaper hasn't done anything wrong, but because everyone is aware of gun control issue I feel like they've basically tagged all of these owners.
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