Support aired for not disclosing permit holders

CARSON CITY -- Nevada law enforcement officials said they will support legislation to make names of people who have concealed-weapons permits confidential.

The Nevada Supreme Court ruled in June that permit applications are confidential, but the names of permit holders are public record.

The ruling was in response to a Reno Gazette-Journal request for information about the 2009 revocation of Gov. Jim Gibbons' permit because he lacked the required certifications for all of the weapons listed.

During a Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association informational meeting Thursday, several people expressed concern burglars might use the public records to determine where they could steal weapons.

"I'm extremely concerned about the release of those names due to the number of home invasions in Clark County," John Fisher said. "It's not right, and I foresee many problems."

Association Executive Director Frank Adams suggested that those concerned about the law contact their legislators.

Beryl Love, executive editor of the Gazette-Journal, said it was never the intent of the newspaper to publish names of permit holders, and it will not do so.

He said the newspaper wanted to learn more about the Gibbons matter and to determine whether the rules for permits were being ignored in other cases.