The Journal News should not have published the names of gun permit owners in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. But the News’ morally unconscionable “expose” was legal. By law, all New York licensee information—be it dog licenses, building permits or handgun permits—must be available to the general public (unless that information is used for fundraising or solicitation). What’s needed here is legal protection. In other words, if citizens of the Empire State want to put pistol permit info behind a veil they should do so by passing very carefully worded legislation. usatoday.com reports that New York State Sen. Greg Ball is on the case. Yes, but—at yesterday’s news conference, Ball pledged to hound the Journal into oblivion. [Click here for full press conference video.] As a gun rights guy I appreciate the passion and outrage. But IMHO that’s OTT. There’s a reason our Constitutionally protected right to free speech is the first amendment. Just sayin’ . . .