Should Pistol Permit Info Be Public?

"You think ones that are not registered are the ones being used for gang violence, homicides, stuff like that," Renise Ward of Henrietta said. 

"It wouldn't concern me," Ciara Cannon said of having that information made public.  "If you have kids a lot of people don't want guns in their house or nowhere near their kids because if that kid goes to that neighbors house and they know that they have a gun they're going to be like don't go there because they have a gun or make sure they have that gun in a safe spot."

Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo issued this statement in response to our inquiry about whether or not she would release such info if it was requested by the public.  (*NOTE: Currently the Clerk’s website allows access to pistol permit holder’s name and address if one searches by a person’s name.)

"Should a request be made for a database list of all County and City pistol permit holders, I would invite the news reporter to sit down with me and have a discussion about the potential impact of publicizing this information through the electronic media.  I would hope that after a reasonable discussion about the fact that the requested information includes the names and addresses of law enforcement officials and victims of domestic violence, that the request would be withdrawn.  This request would effectively provide a map for criminals seeking to burglarize homes they know have or do not have a registered firearm. Judging by the public outcry in downstate counties, I think we can all agree that this is a topic that warrants a thorough discussion by our State Legislature.  Absent action by the State Legislature or the withdrawal of the request, I would continue to provide the legally required information that is currently available on our website and would not provide a comprehensive database of permit holders.”