Monday, January 7, 2013

The chief prosecutor in a New York county says he is opposed to releasing the names and addresses of licensed gun owners.

In a statement issued Monday, Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy says disclosing the information would endanger residents with permits and their neighbors.

Levy was responding to a Freedom of Information Law request from The Journal News. The newspaper last month published online maps that include the names and addresses of gun licensees in the other counties it serves, Westchester and Rockland.

That prompted heavy criticism from gun owners nationwide.

The county clerk previously refused to release the information.

Levy said Monday it would be irresponsible to make the gun information available to people with criminal intentions.

A call to The Journal News was not immediately returned.