Releasing FOID names is wrong

I read on March 2 the decision taken by Illinois State’s Attorney Lisa Madigan to order the Illinois State Police to release the names of all citizens that have been issued a Firearms Owners Identification Card to The Associated Press.

The Attorney General’s office stated that the public has “a legitimate interest” in having the information about who has the right to possess a gun.

First, does the AP intend to publish the names of all gun owners in Illinois? For what purpose? Are they going to equate gun owners with child molesters and other sex offenders? Are they going to try to demonize another group of Illinois citizens?

Second, what political agenda is Lisa Madigan serving by releasing private citizen information to a news organization? She is a known rabid anti-gunner. She must know that information can put citizens at high risk of home invasion and worse. She has pledged not to release addresses and phone numbers. Does she really believe that criminals aren’t smart enough to pick up a phone book and look up that information?

Allow me to out these demon citizens. I refer you to the U.S. Constitution, Amendment II, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The constitution of the state of Illinois has a similar clause. So, Madam Attorney General ... simply release the names of all citizens of the state of Illinois. By the way, the word “people” as used in the constitution is another word for “public.” And you are correct. The public does need to know they have that right.

Andrew T. Surratt

St. Charles