On January 24th, a Civitas Media internal memo leaked to the new media describing the newspaper conglomerate’s “attempt to build state-by-state databases that list those who have the right to carry a concealed weapon.” Within 24 hours Civitas Media reversed course and now, on January 26th, says the idea never was going to happen to begin with.
Buckeyefirearms.org first published the “internal propriety communication,” which Civitas Media director of content Jim Lawitz “distributed to content editors, managers, and producers at [Civitas Media-owned] newspapers in 12 states.”
Lawitz initially refused comment once the communiqué became public. However, he eventually said “[they] have no plans to publish any names on any lists” they compile. After that, the idea of compiling names at all was rejected.
Now Fox News reports that Civitas Media President and CEO Michael Bush has gone a step further by sending an email to say Lawitz’s original email “should not have been sent” to begin with.
Wrote Bush:
Civitas Media never had any plans or intentions of publishing in print or online lists of holders of “concealed and carry” permits. Nor will Civitas Media develop databases of permit holders. A poorly crafted internal memo meant to highlight editorial discussions and planning incorrectly indicated that such a database was being planned; it has been considered and rejected.
Is this a tacit admission that building databases of concealed carry permit holders was at least being discussed among editorial staff until the new media caught wind of it?
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.