Armed Guards Now Protect Newspaper Behind Gun Map

'Journal News' was apparently alarmed by avalanche of threats
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 2, 2013 10:05 AM CST
Armed Guards Now Protect Newspaper Behind Gun Map
A screenshot of the Journal News' online map of permit pistol owners in two New York counties.   (lohud.com)

Oh, the irony. Gannett's Journal News, which you'll remember published an interactive map of people with handgun permits in two counties north of New York City, has turned to armed guards to keep it safe. In an article titled "The Journal News Is Armed and Dangerous," the Rockland Times cites a Dec. 28 police report establishing that the Journal News is employing armed security guards at the newspaper’s Rockland County headquarters through at least today.

The police reports explain that the paper's editor was worried by the amount of "negative correspondence" it had received, in the form of calls and emails. The Times adds that the paper's plans to add a map of Putnam County permit-holders may have been foiled; officials there say they do not plan to comply with the Journal News' request for the info needed to create the map. But the Poughkeepsie Journal reports that those officials will be breaking New York law if they don't release it. They have scheduled a press conference for tomorrow. Meanwhile, a gun group is calling for an advertising boycott. (More newspaper stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X