The Westchester, N.Y., newspaper that created a national stir after the Newtown, Ct., massacre by publishing an interactive map showing where the owners of pistol permits lived is suing a county government that has refused to give out information about who in the area has such a permit, reports the Christian Science Monitor. Posting of the interactive map opened the Journal News to criticism in journalism circles that by publishing raw data the paper ultimately had the effect of depriving the public of information.
The paper was the target of retaliation by pro-gun bloggers who published the names and addresses of reporters and editors responsible for the map. After several attempts to get information that remains public, the Journal News last week took Putnam County to court. The paper, owned by Gannett, says residents deserve to know where potentially dangerous weapons are located.