Civitas Media considers CCW public records request
By Bob Robinson

DARKE COUNTY – “I don’t agree with that happening,” said Howie Schaefer, president of the Darke County Fish & Game Association. “I know our membership would not want it to happen either.”

Schaefer was referring to the possibility of a public records request by Civitas Media, publishers of several area newspapers, for Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit holders in Darke and surrounding counties. A recent report by Fox News confirmed the newspaper chain was considering building “state-by-state databases” on concealed carry weapons permit holders. The North Carolina-based company has papers in 11 states, including Ohio.

Darke County Sheriff Toby Spencer said no such request has yet been made, but added journalists have that right. The information is limited to name, date of birth and county of residence. No addresses will be provided. Spencer added his office can issue CCW permits to Darke County residents plus those in surrounding counties, including Shelby, Miami, Mercer, Preble and Montgomery. At the current time, the sheriff has 4,110 CCW permits on file.

Schaefer said lack of addresses made no difference; it still wouldn’t be acceptable. “That’s still telling a thief where there are firearms. Any self-respecting criminal can easily find the address if he wants it.”

The Civitas project was detailed in a Jan. 19 e-mail to the newsrooms of its nearly 1,000 daily and weekly papers, according to Fox News. In the e-mail Jim Lawitz, Civitas’ director of content, reportedly said the project “examines the explosion of ‘conceal and carry’ gun permits across the U.S.” and will attempt to build “state-by-state databases that list those who have the right to carry a concealed weapon.” When queried Lawitz told Fox News ideas are often discussed and researched but may or may not result in published work. He added the company has no plans to publish any lists or databases of CCW permit holders.

Then why go to the trouble of compiling a list? Schaefer echoed the sentiments of Michael Hammond of Gun Owners of America. “Why compile the lists if you aren’t going to publish them?”

Schaefer added in addition to telling criminals where CCW permit holders live, publishing a data list would also provide information to anti-gun people who could target them.

“It may not be as prevalent here as in some areas of the state, but it’s still not a good idea,” he said. The Darke County Fish & Game Association’s latest membership numbers include 1,250 members in Darke County and surrounding areas, including Indiana.

Roger Cope, owner of Cope’s Distributors, 640 Markwith, Greenville, also said it would be a bad idea.

“If they published a list of every CCW permit holder, it would let the criminals know where there are weapson in the home. Break-ins would skyrocket.”

Following the query by Fox News, Civitas Media CEO Michael C. Bush made the following statement on the corporation’s website:

“Civitas Media never had any plans or intentions of publishing in print or online lists of holders of “conceal and carry” permits. Nor will Civitas Media develop databases of permit holders. A poorly crafted internal memo meant to highlight editorial discussions and planning incorrectly indicated that such a database was being planned; it has been considered and rejected.”

Civitas Media owns The Daily Advocate, Troy Daily News, Piqua Daily Call, Eaton Register Herald and several other newspapers in the Miami Valley area.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird