County Asks Concealed Weapon Permit Holders If They Want to Remain Private

HILLSBORO -- Washington County's sheriff will ask 10,000 holders of concealed handgun licenses whether they want their names made public if it is requested as an Oregon public record.

Sheriff Rob Gordon said he believes that people obtain these licenses as a security measure, which would keep their names private.

But a Jackson County judge ruled in April that people have to document that the license is for security reasons to avoid public records law. Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters has fought releasing the information, despite state law -- and the concealed permit application itself -- that says it is a public record.

The Jackson County case stems from the 2007 case of a South Medford High School teacher with a concealed handgun license who wanted to bring a handgun onto school property for personal security reasons. The school district fought her request.