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Ex-Burglars Say Newspaper’s Gun Map Would’ve Made the Job Easier, Safer
By Jana Winter
Published January 04, 2013
FoxNews.com
Newspaper sparks outrage over gun owner map
Reformed crooks say the New York newspaper that published a map of names and addresses of gun owners did a great service – to their old cronies in the burglary trade.
The information published online by the Journal-News, a daily paper serving the New York suburbs of Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, could be highly useful to thieves in two ways, former burglars told FoxNews.com. Crooks looking to avoid getting shot now know which targets are soft and those who need weapons know where they can steal them.
"Having a list of who has a gun is like gold - why rob that house when you can hit the one next door, where there are no guns?” - Walter T. Shaw, former burglar and jewel thief
“That was the most asinine article I’ve ever seen,” said Walter T. Shaw, 65, a former burglar and jewel thief who the FBI blames for more than 3,000 break-ins that netted some $70 million in the 1960s and 1970s. “Having a list of who has a gun is like gold - why rob that house when you can hit the one next door, where there are no guns?
"What they did was insanity," added Shaw, author of "License to Steal," a book about his criminal career.
The newspaper published the online map last month alongside an article titled, "The gun owner next door: What you don't know about the weapons in your neighborhood." The map included the names and addresses of pistol permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Ironically, the newspaper has now stationed armed guards outside at least one of its offices.
“They just created an opportunity for some crimes to be committed and I think it’s exceptionally stupid,” said Bob Portenier, 65, a former burglar and armed house robber turned crime prevention consultant.
could be highly useful to thieves in two ways, former burglars told FoxNews.com. Crooks looking to avoid getting shot now know which targets are soft and those who need weapons know where they can steal them.
"Having a list of who has a gun is like gold - why rob that house when you can hit the one next door, where there are no guns?” - Walter T. Shaw, former burglar and jewel thief
Looks like the criminals agree with what I said in your other thread about gun owners being safer as a result of their names being published in the newspaper.......why pick a house to rob when you KNOW they have weapons. That seems to be the stronger response, that they won't try to rob a place they know has weapons, more than they will rob your place to steal your weapons.
And that has been the argument for guns on cd, you're safer if you have a gun than not; criminals will stay away from people who are armed.
Looks like the criminals agree with what I said in your other thread about gun owners being safer as a result of their names being published in the newspaper.......why pick a house to rob when you KNOW they have weapons. That seems to be the stronger response, that they won't try to rob a place they know has weapons, more than they will rob your place to steal your weapons.
And that has been the argument for guns on cd, you're safer if you have a gun than not; criminals will stay away from people who are armed.
In either case, the paper has taken much of the guess work out of home invasion robberies.
What idiot at the paper thought this was a good idea? I don't know many people who want their names and addresses published in the newspaper but I can imagine it would be even worse for people who work in sensitive areas; policemen, judges, teachers, doctors, etc.
You don't want some nut you've crossed paths with knowing where you live.
What idiot at the paper thought this was a good idea? I don't know many people who want their names and addresses published in the newspaper but I can imagine it would be even worse for people who work in sensitive areas; policemen, judges, teachers, doctors, etc.
You don't want some nut you've crossed paths with knowing where you live.
Location: Currently I physically reside on the 3rd planet from the sun
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I would like to see anyone who suffers a break in or burglary NOT listed by the news paper sue the paper as an Accessory to the crime. Especially if anyone is harmed during the execution of the crime.
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