Columnist Susan Campbell writes in the Hartford Courant about an attempt by a Floridian named Allan Minter to gather information on Omar Thornton, who killed himself and eight others on Aug. 3 after losing his job at a Connecticut beer distributorship. She writes, "Oddly, here's something Minter can't confirm: Did Thornton have a permit for his guns? Connecticut law keeps confidential the names and addresses of people issued an eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver." Campbell says she wonders why.
Earlier this year, Minter began tracking gun crimes that involved multiple victims. Campbell said he began scouring the Web and local newspapers for details about Thorton after the shooting. Thornton's record was clean, said Minter, "up until he pulled the trigger." Lt. J. Paul Vance, state police spokesman, confirmed that pistol permits are not public record. "I have had, in divorce proceedings, someone call up and say, 'Does my soon-to-be-ex have a pistol permit?' and we cannot confirm that," he said.
Posted by Alex
Thursday, September 02, 2010 08:50
I resent the fact that I am not allowed to know who among my coworkers and neighbors have a license to carry a concealed weapon. This idea that making this information public violates the rights of the permit holders is utter nonsense. I get the impression the the gun lovers believe that their constitutional rights are the only ones that matter and everyone else can drop dead. Or maybe these people are ashamed of being gun owners and don’t want anyone to know.
Posted by Alex
Thursday, September 02, 2010 08:29
I resent the fact that I am not allowed to know who among my coworkers and neighbors have a license to carry a concealed weapon. This idea that making this information public violates the rights of the permit holders is utter nonsense. I get the impression the the gun lovers believe that their constitutional rights are the only ones that matter and everyone else can go to hell. Or maybe these people are ashamed of being gun owners and don’t want anyone to know.
Posted by Concerned Citizen
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 11:04
I think its safe to assume that Thornton had a legitimate gun permit… that fact is irrelevant. No American should allow themselves to be convinced that freedom should be restricted because someone without a record cracked. It is unfortunate that none of his coworkers were armed and prepared to defend themselves.
It is our right to enjoy the freedoms afforded in this country without having to publicly disclose our faith, income, or hobbies (nor martial arts training or preparedness against crime for that matter). It is not our right to assume that fellow citizens are necessarily dangerous and need to be carefully watched or declawed. It should be your confidential right to carry insurance against the possibility of harm.
I do not understand, however, why the question about his permit status would not be available and a matter of public record at this point. Had he survived, this irrelevant question would have been answered among the list of charges. Does anyone actually believe his permit status would have impacted this horrendous outcome?