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Gun Owners' Names, Addresses Could Become Public

A West Haven lawmaker has introduced a bill to make public the names of some 170,000 gun owners in Connecticut.

If you own a gun in this state your name and address could become public under a bill introduced in the General Assembly by State Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, D-West Haven.

Dargan filed the proposal in response to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that killed 20 children and 6 women on Dec. 14. His proposal would overturn a law passed in Connecticut 20 years ago that keeps private the names and addresses of gun owners.

In an interview with the Hartford Courant, Dargan said he wants gun ownership information to fall under the state's Freedom of Information Act in part so that parents can know whether the parents of their children's friends have guns in their homes.

"Maybe their kids are going over to Johnny Smith's, and maybe they want to see whether they have guns in the house," he told the newspaper.

Dargan's proposal follows another bill that was filed recently that seeks to limit who can own gun ammunition in Connecticut and to keep such ammunition out of the hands of felons. Gun control issues are expected to dominate the General Assembly's winter session, which formally begins next week, in the wake of the Newtown massacre.

Paul Lambert January 4, 2013 at 02:25 pm
Wow! What a dumb idea!!! So, if I decide to become a criminal or I'm a felon and I don't have a gun I now know where I can break in and steal one right? Wow!
noah goode January 4, 2013 at 02:52 pm
If this passes then I fully expect that vehicle registrations should also become public (again). This way I can find out who the idiot was that cut me off on the road. Also individual driving records should become public, so I can know if the parents of Johnny Smith have any DUI arrests or speeding tickets. Wouldn't want little precious riding with a drunk or speed freak. We might as well require noting who buys and has alcohol in their homes as well as where (or if) they go to church so we can better protect little all the little Johnny Smiths.
Bill January 4, 2013 at 04:05 pm
Former police officers who have arrested top gang members would not like there names and addresses printed. This is making people less safe.
Andrew Ziemba January 4, 2013 at 04:18 pm
Seems like an invasion of privacy to me. Should the state tell people where the owner of perhaps a gold and silver dealer lives? Should the state tell people where the owner of an antique shop live? How about where all the very old people live? Where all the single mothers live? Why stop with guns? Do we need any more reasons why our government is a corrupt gang of thieves writ large? Embrace freedom. www.lewrockwell.com
Andrew Ziemba January 4, 2013 at 04:20 pm
Yes please. Oh god yes, I love government so much. I am so excited. This is a great step towards our security. Now we can see where all those nasty militia terrorist dirty men are. (sw)
Andrew Ziemba January 4, 2013 at 04:21 pm
Worst of all, criminals won't even show up because they don't register their guns. Only law abiding citizens will show up.
Adam January 4, 2013 at 05:01 pm
And to be fair, any reporter or editor of any paper or website that publishes such information should be prepared to have their home address and phone number published. What's sauce for the goose...
Here's an idea: how about a concerned parent ask a friend's parent if a gun (or a knife) is unsecured in their house! Yes, two grown adults can actually VOLUNTARILY talk to one another about these things without state coercion (I know this may be a surprise to some of those on the Left). And here's the best thing of all: criminals won't know which homeowners are unarmed!
An Avon Resident January 4, 2013 at 06:59 pm
Perhaps the names and home addresses of the CT State legislators who vote in favor of this bill should be made public. Obviously, their houses would be a 'gun free' zone. Kind of levels the playing field and will give them a full understanding of what those who've jumped through the myriad hoops and loops required to get a Pistol Permit would be faced with in regards to the release of personal information that should be kept out of the general public's view. Ironically, the 'privilaged class' of state legistlators are protected by public tax funded, armed Capitol Police when they are in session.
Joe January 4, 2013 at 07:11 pm
I really think we are too nice to these politicians. Even with boards like this, talk radio, and letters to the editor they are just not held responsible for their stupidity. I dont know what the answer is but "vote them out" just doesnt work anymore. I think visits to their home in peaceful but loud civil disobedience may be a start. You want to make us less safe in our homes, we'll see how your family likes it when we are outside of your home chanting but pose no threat.
We all see the below, yet they dont really care about people. They care about themselves and trickery of the morons in society. Reading this, how anyone could ever want to pursue this information being collected and easily accessible in one place is really sick. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/04/ex-burglars-say-newspapers-gun-map-wouldve-made-job-easier-safer/
Marky Moose January 4, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Yeah - let's let all the criminals know where defenseless people live - great way to solve it!!
Bob January 5, 2013 at 12:00 am
Ohhh great... this either A tells criminals who is defenseless so they can rob people or B tell them what to bring and expect at a robbery... exactly what we need.
edwardinct January 5, 2013 at 04:48 am
i will be happy to start a website featuring dargan private info, names of wife/kids, work and school locations. im sure it will have no affect on his or his family safety.
Gigi January 5, 2013 at 11:50 am
Everyone needs to call and write their reps in CT and tell them to vote NO!
Adam January 5, 2013 at 01:08 pm
Check this out:
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/04/law-enforcement-latest-critics-on-public-display-gun-owner-data-officers/
Joe January 5, 2013 at 01:36 pm
This is why I hate liberals. These newspaper people knew what kinds of people were on this list before they did it. Now former NYC police that put bad people away are in danger and prison guards too, but do you see them back off? No they are doubling down and want to put even more families in jeopardy.
LL January 5, 2013 at 01:49 pm
I am disgusted by this attempted invasion of privacy. Just because someone has a legally obtained gun permit does not mean they have a gun. Have we learned nothing from the Salem Witch Hunts or McCarthyism?
This bill is a weak attempt to fix the problem of gun control with a band-aid where it really needs major surgery. I am "liberal" and I do no believe this the right thing to do. Nor do I think taking away our right to own guns will solve the problem.
LL January 5, 2013 at 01:51 pm
Absolutely right, but remember that many reps will be changing on January 9th.
If someone I voted for votes for this I guarantee you I will NEVER vote for them again.
Pete January 5, 2013 at 01:55 pm
So now you want to place firearm owners on the same level as sex offenders? So if you own a firearm youre already a criminal?
Deborah Netto January 5, 2013 at 03:11 pm
I believe the next move should be publishing the names and addresses of all people on anti psychotic drugs. There should be a few politicians kids names on the list, don't you think? Especially since Lanza, Columbine, and aurora shooters were all on these drugs. Next step is to publish the names of the docs who prescribe these drugs to dangerous patients. Next step is to publish names and addresses of all people who purchase violent videos.......where does it end?
POODETWA January 5, 2013 at 04:52 pm
BILL-- I AGREE.
MAC January 5, 2013 at 06:45 pm
Dems' ideas and laws on gun control are NOT the answer! Who do you BLAME in Chicago for all the gun violence (not to mention the government incompetence, corruption and insurmountable DEBT)??
Perhaps the U.S. should pull out of Chicago? Body count: In the last six months 292 killed (murdered) in Chicago. 221 killed in Iraq AND ^^^ Chicago has one of the strictest gun laws in the entire US. ^^^ ^^ The leadership in Illinois - all Democrats. ^^ President: Barack Hussein Obama Senator: Dick Durbin House Representative: Jesse Jackson Jr. Governor: Pat Quinn House leader: Mike Madigan Atty. Gen.: Lisa Madigan (daughter of Mike) Mayor: Rahm Emanuel Thank you for the combat zone in Chicago. Of course, they're all blaming each other. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any! Chicago school system rated one of the worst in the country. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any! State pension fund $78 Billion in debt, worst in country. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any! Cook County ( Chicago ) sales tax 10.25% highest in country. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any! This is the political culture that Obama comes from in Illinois. And he, and Malloy, are going to 'fix' "gun violence," and politics for us???
Saul Freedman January 5, 2013 at 07:11 pm
Watch out for our new state rep from Farmington, Michael Demicco. He will surely be a yes vote on this legislation. Let him know how you feel ASAP. (860) 240-8500
Joe January 5, 2013 at 07:36 pm
MAC stop with the facts please. You will confuse liberal democrats and their heads would explode if they ever had to face factual evidence.

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