In Putnam, Refusal to Share Gun Permit Info [Updated]

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell was joined Thursday by County Clerk Dennis Sant, State Assemblyman Steve Katz and State Sen. Greg Ball. 

The four officials are in agreement when it comes to denying a request, from The Journal News, for records documenting gun permit holders. The newspaper is seeking the information under the state Freedom of Information Law.

When asked by a reporter if Putnam County is breaking the law, Odell said:

"No, I wouldn't say that we're doing that. I would say that, first and foremost we're protecting our citizens and we're upholding our oath of office to make sure that all of our citizens have the right to privacy and safety within their homes."

For additional details on what was said, see the tweets above, as well as the attached videos. 

• Click here for a release that details officials' positions.
• Click here for a story about the situation and the Freedom of Information Law—as well as the process that follows when a request is denied.
• Click here for a story about threats The Journal News received after posting maps revealing folks in Rockland and Westchester who carry gun permits.
• State Sen. Greg Ball is pushing a bill that would "prohibit the public disclosure of information in an application for a pistol license with exceptions for prosecutors and police conducting an active investigation." The bill, he said, "would protect lawful gun owners from being targeted by thieves for firearm burglaries and eliminate a database criminals could use to extort their identity-theft victims."