Resolution to Protect the Privacy and Security of Law
Abiding Gun Owners in North Carolina
Whereas, the people of this state have an inherent right to privacy; and
Whereas, the vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens; and
Whereas, owning a firearm for the defense of one’s person, home, family and liberty is not the exercise of government privilege, but of God given right; and
Whereas, the public disclosure of gun owner’s personal information has resulted in slander as well as victimization by criminals; and
Whereas, the public disclosure of gun owner’s information also exposes an unarmed citizen to risk of victimization by being identified by as such; and
Whereas, law enforcement, detention staff and correction officers have become targets of threat and intimidation following the release of their personal information as gun owners and;
Whereas, 40 states and the District of Columbia have taken steps to make information concerning gun owners private, and only 10 states, including North Carolina, continue to treat gun owner information as a public record; and
Whereas, no public interest is served by the release of the personal information of private citizens that have committed no trespass of law; and
Therefore, the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners resolves, as representatives of the people, to defend the safety and privacy rights of lawful citizens. Furthermore the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners call upon the Governor and General Assembly of North Carolina to enact legislation protecting gun owners from undue and unwanted release of personal information by exempting said information from the public records laws.
