November 13, 2007
Hannah Report

The Strickland administration and the AG's office have gone on record in response to new questions over media access to names of conceal carry permit holders. Little more than a month after relevant provisions of 126-HB9 (Oelslager) went into effect, Attorney General Marc Dann issued an opinion Tuesday clarifying that journalists cannot photo-copy, photograph, dictate, or otherwise jot down the permit holders' personal information.

Even before the ink was dry on the new law, legislators were already debating the meaning of "copy" in R.C. 2923.129(B)(2)(a). Some on both sides of the aisle said the prohibition covers handwritten notes on permit holders, whereas others said a reasonable view of the restriction and the journalist's reporting duties means a member of the media cannot be prohibited from using his own pen.

Since then, a series of Ohio newspaper stories and editorials have tested the meaning of "copy." Several media outlets have printed long lists of conceal carry names, raising the ire of those who feel such information should remain confidential to protect the permit holder's safety.

In September, the Trumbull County prosecutor ordered the sheriff's office to stop reporters from writing down names of conceal carry holders and contacted the attorney general's office for a supporting opinion. Dann has now provided that, issuing the following interpretation of HB9:

By Linda Walker

The scenario: You are in the grocery store parking lot. Evening has fallen, but the street light illuminates the area. You are putting your new purchases in the trunk of your car, anticipating being in the warmth of your own home in fifteen minutes, after a long day at work. Thoughts are going through your mind of what to make for dinner and what you will be.....,

And then it happens!

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