VA: Police Deny Access To Concealed Carry Permit Holder Database

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2859

Virginia State Police Suspends Public Access To Concealed Carry Permit
Holder Database!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Following the release of an advisory opinion by Virginia Attorney General
Bob McDonnell(R), the Virginia State Police is suspending public access to
its concealed carry permit database. In response to a request from Delegate
Dave Nutter (R-7), Attorney General McDonnell issued an opinion that the
concealed carry database was assembled solely for investigative purposes
and, therefore, it is exempted from the Commonwealth's Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) that requires public access to certain documents.

The on-going debate over public access to the concealed carry permit
database was heightened last month when The Roanoke Times newspaper posted
to its website a searchable database containing the names and addresses of
more than 135,000 concealed weapon permit holders. Attorney General
McDonnell's opinion states, "The release of such personal information of a
crime victim or witness potentially jeopardizes his safety and privacy, as
well as the safety of the community in which he lives." While the advisory
opinion does not have the weight and effect of law, the VA State Police are
considering it as advice from the state's chief law enforcement officer.

Meanwhile, the state's Freedom on Information Advisory Council is continuing
its study of the issue, and Delegate Nutter is already planning on
introducing legislation for the 2008 General Assembly session that will
effectively convert the Attorney General's opinion into law.



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