California has once again found itself at the center of a major privacy controversy involving gun owners. A reporter from the San Francisco Standard, a self-described progressive online news outlet, has successfully obtained the personal identifying information of concealed carry weapon (CCW) holders through a California Public Records Act request.

According to letters sent by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the Standard requested data dating back to January 1, 2015, including names, birth dates, addresses, license status, and more. Despite concerns about privacy and potential misuse, the sheriff’s office stated it was legally required to release much of this data under state law.

This move echoes past incidents, such as the state’s accidental leak of CCW holder data on a public website. Gun rights advocates warn that these repeated disclosures could lead to harassment, doxxing, or even targeted crime against lawful gun owners.

Critics argue that the state’s willingness to expose gun owners’ information is another example of California’s hostility toward Second Amendment rights. As the federal DOJ also seeks membership data from groups like FPC, many gun owners are questioning how much privacy they really have left.

Bottom line: Californians exercising their constitutional right to self-defense should not have to risk public exposure to do so. The fight for privacy and the Second Amendment is far from over.