Mr. Westerhold openly concedes that Ohio law says that concealed carry lists are not public records. Think about that for a moment. The people, by and through their elected officials, have determined, as a matter of law, that these lists are not public records and the release of these lists is not in the public interest. Not some administrative agency trying to shield their meetings or who they meet with, not some bureaucrat trying to hide the fact he gave a no-bid contract to his brother-in-law, not a renegade school board member trying to change curriculum… The people, by and through their elected representatives, made a decision. Those who exercise a right, like praying, writing an idiotic editorial or obtaining an abortion, are not required to face public scrutiny. These are not public records, and their release is not in the public interest. So Sayeth The People.But Westerhold got the information because of the journalist loophole. The people of Ohio used their legislative process to say that these records are NOT public information, except to "authorized journalists" of course. So he has taken it upon himself to publish this information, not because it's necessary, but because he can.
It's hard to believe, after the trouncing other newspapers have taken after doing the same, that he thinks he can get away with it.
And though I'm used to seeing hypocrisy, it stills boggles my mind that he can publish this information "with a straight face," and then call it "harassment" when the people of Ohio and elsewhere promise to boycott the advertisers of that newspaper.
I think it won't be long now before Ohio gets rid of the journalist loophole.
