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Albany, NY – New York State Senator Joseph Griffo is sponsoring a bill that would change the way the state issues information on handgun permit holders to the public. WAMC's Steve Felano reports
The bill would make personal information on handgun licensees confidential, except to law enforcement agencies, and those requesting information about a named individual.
Currently, citizens can request this information from the State Police - no specific name is required.
Open access to this information became an issue with the advent of a website called whospackingny.com. It allows visitors to download public records from the state's master handgun permit database.
Second amendment advocates argue the website is a shopping list for criminals who want to steal handguns.
Open government advocates say information on state-issued permits is supposed to be public.
Steve Felano, WAMC News