For more than 220 years, the circuit courts in our commonwealth have adhered to one unbending, inflexible tenet: All public records are presumed to be opened to the public for scrutiny. Indeed, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, set forth in Section 2.2-3700 of the Virginia Code, states as much and guarantees that citizens of the commonwealth as well as representatives of the media shall have full access to all public records held by public bodies, public officials and public employees — including circuit court clerks’ offices.
I didn't think anyone was conspiring to take guns away. I thought people were upset about it because they now became targets for robberies (which did happen).Finally, please allow me to dispel one other myth. Proponents of this measure will also argue that this bill protects the safety of those who have applied for and obtained a concealed gun permit.
Their argument goes something like this: If the government doesn’t pass a law prohibiting the disclosure of information on individuals who have concealed gun permits, the media will get a hold of the list and publish to the world that “so and so has applied for and obtained a concealed gun permit.” (Apparently, a New York publication recently published a list of concealed gun permit holders.)
Their argument goes on to suggest that subsequent to the publication of such a list, anti-gun advocates will organize, conspire and take steps to confiscate their weapons. Oh, please!
This also got me to chuckle.
Public scrutiny to see who has unlawfully obtained a concealed handgun permit?By allowing one to access the records of who has attained a concealed gun permit, the public is able to determine whether or not those who are not legally allowed to possess a permit or firearm have in fact done so.
Unfortunately, this new law signed by McDonnell will prevent the citizenry from gleaning who has unlawfully obtained a concealed gun permit. It is indeed ironic that McDonnell and the Republican Party, both of whom have championed an open and transparent government, would support a measure that is decidedly, measurably and markedly just the opposite.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/opinion/th ... 9d4f2.html
