Gun Owner Privacy Battle Headed To Court
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- The issue of gun owner privacy – or secrecy – is heading to the courts.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's John Cody reports, Illinois State Police say releasing the identity of those who hold Firearms Owner Identification cards is an invasion of privacy. State police issue the cards, and they want the matter taken before a judge.
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Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says it is clear there is no law backing up the idea of privacy or secrecy for gun owners.
"The FOID Card Act does not require that that information is private, so there's no provision in the law for that," she said.
When asked whether the names of gun owners should remain secret, General Madigan said that is an issue to be settled by lawmakers in Springfield, where a gun owners' privacy bill has been introduced by Republican lawmakers.
But for now, Madigan is in court backing up her public access counselor who says the public is entitled to know who has firearms owners ID cards.
Following a request for public records from The Associated Press, Madigan's office ruled Monday that the names of gun permit holders are public information in which people at large have a "legitimate interest."
But given the pending court battle and legislative action, the names are not expected to be released anytime soon.
