Here's my letter to the editor. I encourage all that are interested to write in and express their opinion.
"Dear Mr. Ryerson:
I am writing to express my concern about information contained in an article in the February 18, 2007 online edition (“It's all in the numbers, from Mitch's salary to cost of athletics”). Specifically, I am concerned about the paper’s announced intention to publish a list of persons that are licensed to carry handguns for personal protection. I urge you to consider the following:
1. The State of Indiana reviews each application for a license to carry a handgun for personal protection. Local and state law enforcement officials investigate the criminal history of each applicant. For example, felons and persons convicted of domestic violence are not licensed. Thus, a system is in place to ensure that licenses to carry a handgun for personal protection are issued only to those with a demonstrated history of being was may best be described as “law-abiding citizens”.
2. Publication of this list will provide the criminal element in our society with information on where to steal firearms.
3. If a stolen firearm is used in a crime of violence, and it can be demonstrated that the thief used your on-line information to obtain that firearm, it is possible that the victim and the person from whom the firearm was stolen could pursue legal action against your newspaper. I certainly would if I were in that position.
4. Although an occasional misuse of a firearm makes spectacular news, the vast majority of persons licensed to carry firearms are responsible gun owners. Publication of a list of those persons is an overtly irresponsible act.
I urge you and your newspaper to reconsider your position on the matter of publication of a list of persons that are licensed to carry a handgun for personal protection. I feel that publication of that list will place each licensee at greater risk of being subjected to burglary, robbery, or worse.
I would be pleased to discuss this matter with you, but ask that my personal information be withheld from publication to protect my family’s security.
Thank you."
RBH