The paper cites the need for investigative reporters to be able to "out" criminals who might have a CCW permit.
This point raises a couple of issues that are relevant to the Privacy vs Publics' Right to Know issue.
1. Every governmental unit that possess a CCW database potential has the ability to conduct computer matches of it data against lists of known felons, sex offenders etc. It is their responsibility and not the media's to be looking for violations of gun laws. Most CCW holders do not object to law enforcement using these lists for legitimate purposes. We do not need the Roanoke Times or the New York Times pointing out firearms violations that could be uncovered by governmental authorities.
2. The media wants access because they want to find a juicy story. They want to "data mine" the CCW Permit lists to determine which Senator, local politician or other famous person is carrying - to make some point about that person in the interest of the media's agenda or to increase readership. I understand their motivations but that's not a valid reason to get their hands on sensitive personal information.
3. The CCW Permit list is an indirect gun registration list. While it does not contain specific firearm information it points directly to one's ownership of a handgun. If any jurisdiction requires firearm registration these specific gun records will also be fair game for the media. I wouldn't be surprised if FOIA requests have been made for gun registration records already. Note: Some in PA are moving to require registration.
4. Nothing short of legislation protecting CCW and gun registration records will solve this problem. Law enforcement purposes should be the only reason to release this information, even if that means that major gun rights organizations can't get their hands on it for their outreach efforts. Sometimes we can't have our "cake and eat it".
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