Protecting the identity of gun permit owners

Simply put, there is still at least one way for someone to get your personal information if you have a handgun permit in Mississippi.  While this Bill makes it harder for someone to get your information, they can still get it.  Some gun owners say, that is information that should not be out there period.

"Nobody should know that you have a gun permit, until you have to use it, then its officer, here is my permit, I am perfectly legal, end of story," says Jeff Duncan.

Mississippi House Bill, 485, signed into law this week provides, that if you have a conceal and carry permit in Mississippi, your information is not public record.  "Uh, I am absolutely for it, as a gun owner, my information is not for you to know or subject to sale, or to be infringed upon in any way, that's my right as an individual, and I am absolutely for it," says Duncan.

But some say the new law violates the Sunshine Laws and Public Records Laws of Mississippi according to Jeff Duncan, the owner of Olive Branch's Gun Exchange.  The law does not violate any public records laws because according to him, it's not necessarily public record, it's a private citizen's records, and giving that information out could be dangerous.  Duncan says, "Well number one it gives criminals easy access, hey this person has got guns, then it makes you a potential target, that is the main concern right there."

While Duncan likes the law, he says it doesn't go far enough.  While the law protects a conceal/carry owner's personal information, the information can still be obtained through a court order.  "It should be inaccessible, absolutely that is something that as an individual we have paid our money for.  That was our choice to freely obtain a gun permit and anything that I have paid for should be kept inaccessible."