Bill White Champions Rights Of Roanoke Citizens

The Sunday, March 11 edition of its paper, The Roanoke Times published an article concerning government and public access. The focus of this particular article was concealed handgun permits which citizens currently maintain a valid carry permit –The Roanoke Times didn’t limit their article to pontificating on gun ownership—oh, no. That wasn’t good enough. After receiving a database of all concealed carry permit holders in Virginia via a Freedom of Information Act request, the Roanoke Times created a searchable database on their own website, allowing anyone to determine exactly who in their community has a permit to carry concealed handgun, as well as the address of every permit holder.

Many, including Bill White, didn’t see the need for this egregious violation of privacy. Mr. White took immediate action by publishing the personal information of the irresponsible editor giving the Roanoke Times a taste of their own medicine.

Bill White gave the citizens of Roanoke the tools to voice their displeasure by supplying this information and after repeated contact from concerned citizens the Roanoke Times decided to remove the concealed carry permit database from its website. However, in a statement, The Roanoke Times indicated that they are working with the State Police to determine how to proceed.

Please continue to contact the Roanoke Times at 540.981.3340, as well as its President and Publisher Debbie Meade at 540. 981.3326, and strongly urge them to cease from any future actions that would endanger law-abiding citizens.

Roanoke City needs a strong mayor that will fight for law abiding citizens, and Bill White has just proven he has the intestinal fortitude to take on one of the most damaging influence on our city: The Roanoke Times.

You can view the article here: http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/trejbal/wb/108160

Labels: Bill White, Mayor, Roanoke, Virginia