CONCEALED WEAPONS Sheriff faces a probe for releasing addresses

The law allows disclosure of some permit-holder information to the press.
SIDNEY, Ohio (AP) -- A prosecutor will investigate whether a sheriff violated Ohio's new concealed-weapons law by releasing the addresses of people granted permits to a newspaper that published the information.
Bob Beasley, spokesman for the Ohio attorney general's office, said he knew of no similar investigation elsewhere in the state.
At issue is what can be publicly disclosed about permit holders under the law, which took effect in April.
The law allows Ohioans to carry hidden guns after passing a background check and completing safety training. It requires sheriffs to disclose the names, county of residence and birth dates of permit holders to journalists who make written requests and state that the information would be in the public interest.
Shelby County Sheriff Kevin O'Leary also released addresses to The Sidney Daily News, a 13,000-circulation newspaper of the Brown Publishing Co. that published them June 8.
Interpretation of law
O'Leary said he interpreted "county" to mean address but will no longer release that information after getting an opinion from the Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association. That group interprets the law as barring the release of street addresses, said Bob Cornwell, executive director.
A violation of the disclosure portion of the law is punishable by six months to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Judge John Schmitt of Shelby County Common Pleas Court appointed Miami County Prosecutor Gary Nasal to investigate after Ohioans for Concealed Carry and an attorney for permit holders complained about the release of the information.
Advocate of privacy
Jim Irvine, spokesman for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said all information about who is carrying concealed weapons should be kept private, to deter criminals. He said disclosing addresses makes permit holders vulnerable to gun theft.
Jeff Billiel, publisher of The Sidney Daily News, said O'Leary thought he could legally release the addresses and that the newspaper did not intend to violate any law.
Gov. Bob Taft had threatened to veto the initial legislation, saying it didn't provide enough access to permit records. He agreed to a compromise that allowed only journalists access to the records.
Frank Deaner, executive director of the Ohio Newspaper Association, said other newspapers around the state plan to identify permit holders.
He said it is important that newspapers have access to information to ensure that the permitting process is being done honestly and be able to identify permit holders as a public service.
"Some people may change their social patterns in knowing who in their social circle are carrying weapons," Deaner said.