Listing Gun Owners Might Help Criminals (Illinois)

[shadowrider]

Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois is considering signing a bill that would prohibit state officials from publicizing lists of registered gun owners. The economics of crime suggests that such a list would put potential victims at a disadvantage and help criminals.

Earlier this year, the state attorney general, Lisa Madigan, asked the Illinois State Police to make public its list of registered gun owners. Proponents of Ms. Madigan’s request say the Freedom of Information Act requires the state to release such information when requested.

The police are concerned that a public list would discourage some gun owners from legally registering their weapon, and, as a result, the owner database would be less accurate precisely because it was public. A more accurate list, the police say, helps them protect officers and facilitates law enforcement.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/listing-gun-owners-might-help-criminals/

[Taverner]

1. It's an all aroung bad idea

The non-armed will be forced into buying guns by this measure

As someone who is FOR gun rights, but does not want to buy a gun yet, this is very bad

[Kolesar]

2. Frightful leap of logic there

"Sometimes they install locks and alarms, knowing that criminals may get through them but would rather spend their effort on another victim who is less well protected.

Just as most criminals would rather avoid locks and alarms, many of them would rather commit their crime without being shot by a victim brandishing a firearm. "

Casey B. Mulligan should stick with estimating the market for cosmetics, or something that he is qualified to comment on.

[gejohnston]

3. The police are right on this one

The same "proponets" would get pissed off if someone released lists of their DL information using the same logic.