State Police today released the opt-out form for pistol owners to keep their information private.
Forms for gun owners will be available at county clerks or sheriff’s departments, depending on which agency handles the permitting in a county. They should be returned to the same licensing agency.
The opt-out provision was part of the gun-control law passed last month, allowing pistol-permit holders to elect to keep their information, such as name and address, private. If they do not fill out the form, the information would be public under the state’s Freedom of Information law.
The opt-out clause was approved after the Journal News, a Gannett Co. Inc. publication, sparked outrage for publishing an interactive map of pistol-permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties in December. After the law was passed, the newspaper removed the data from its website.
State Police said pistol-permit information held by the county is currently exempt from FOIL until May 15.
After that, anyone who has filled out the form would be exempt from having their information released under FOIL. People could still fill out the form after May 15 to have their information sealed.
You can also download the form here.
2 Comments
If you look closely you’ll see NOWHERE does it say that to release this information is an invasion of your right to privacy. Which for decades it was this information going public in no way would have any bearing on anything that happened at Sandy Hook. Of course it may well get stupid criminals looking for a free firearm shot and killed. Of course by the same token it may get an innocent gun owner murdered for his firearm. Will the state be held responsible for the murders and property damage cause by their stupidity.
Could not download and would not accept my facebook account.