SALEM -- Concealed handgun licenses would be exempt from Oregon's public records law under a bill passed Monday by the Oregon House, making it much more difficult to find out who is getting the permits.
Citing privacy and safety concerns, lawmakers said people who apply for and receive permits to carry a concealed weapon should be assured that their names, addresses and other personal information won't be made public.
"It's about protecting the rights of the good guys," said Rep. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, one of 54 House members who voted in favor of the exemption. "This is not about protecting the rights of punks, of hooligans, or meth tweakers."
Under current law, concealed handgun licenses -- like all state licenses -- are considered public information. Sheriffs in some counties, however, have balked at releasing the records, usually after a request by a newspaper.
In fact, the bill was introduced in response to a long-running case in Jackson County, where the Medford Mail Tribune sought a list of concealed handgun licenses. The request, which was rejected by the local sheriff, was part of the newspaper's reporting on a South Medford High School teacher who unsuccessfully sued the school district for refusing to allow her to bring a handgun onto campus.
Tom Gallagher, a lobbyist for the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, said the bill has been watered down a bit from its original version. The amended version passed by the House allows for the release of the records if the requester can show "clear and convincing evidence" that the public interest outweighs concerns over privacy.
Nonetheless, Gallagher said, "It has to be considered another loss on the public records fight."
Only four House members voted against the House Bill 2727 -- three Democrats and one Republican. Among those opposing it was Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, who questioned the logic behind the bill.
Gun rights supporters argue that having a gun in the home makes it less likely to be burglarized, he noted. Yet those same supporters now say they would be a target for crime if their addresses were published.
Furthermore, there are good reasons to keep the records open to public scrutiny, Galizio said. If someone wants to know whether a sheriff is handing out permits irresponsibly, "under this bill it would be very difficult information to obtain."
Citing privacy and safety concerns, lawmakers said people who apply for and receive permits to carry a concealed weapon should be assured that their names, addresses and other personal information won't be made public.
"It's about protecting the rights of the good guys," said Rep. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, one of 54 House members who voted in favor of the exemption. "This is not about protecting the rights of punks, of hooligans, or meth tweakers."
Under current law, concealed handgun licenses -- like all state licenses -- are considered public information. Sheriffs in some counties, however, have balked at releasing the records, usually after a request by a newspaper.
In fact, the bill was introduced in response to a long-running case in Jackson County, where the Medford Mail Tribune sought a list of concealed handgun licenses. The request, which was rejected by the local sheriff, was part of the newspaper's reporting on a South Medford High School teacher who unsuccessfully sued the school district for refusing to allow her to bring a handgun onto campus.
Tom Gallagher, a lobbyist for the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, said the bill has been watered down a bit from its original version. The amended version passed by the House allows for the release of the records if the requester can show "clear and convincing evidence" that the public interest outweighs concerns over privacy.
Nonetheless, Gallagher said, "It has to be considered another loss on the public records fight."
Only four House members voted against the House Bill 2727 -- three Democrats and one Republican. Among those opposing it was Rep. Larry Galizio, D-Tigard, who questioned the logic behind the bill.
Gun rights supporters argue that having a gun in the home makes it less likely to be burglarized, he noted. Yet those same supporters now say they would be a target for crime if their addresses were published.
Furthermore, there are good reasons to keep the records open to public scrutiny, Galizio said. If someone wants to know whether a sheriff is handing out permits irresponsibly, "under this bill it would be very difficult information to obtain."
