Amendments To Handgun Licensure Law Will Protect Confidentiality Of Gun Users
Effective December 21, 2014, the firearms records of Michigan residents will be protected from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The idea to amend Michigan’s law came after a December 2012 mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut prompted a New York newspaper to publish an interactive online map containing personal information of thousands of handgun permit holders. The rationale behind the amendments is to protect the safety of gun owners and others who could be adversely affected by the release of such information to the public.
The amended handgun licensure law provides that the personal information of concealed pistol license (CPL) holders will only be disclosed to law enforcement personnel under certain circumstances, such as officer safety, when the holder is posing a threat to himself or another, or if the holder has committed a crime. “Firearms records” is defined as any form, information, or record required for submission to a government agent under certain sections of the handgun licensure law. Although personal information pertaining to applicants will not be subject to public release, the amendments require the Michigan State Police to file an annual statistical report including information such as the number of applications received and the number of CPLs issued, denied, and revoked per county.
Proponents of the amendments argue that disclosure of personal information allows criminals to target homes where guns are known to be, jeopardizing the safety not only of the gun holder, but of others who may be victimized by the use of guns stolen from a holder’s residence.
A complete analysis of the amendments can be found at:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2013-SFA-0049-N.pdf
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