New Jersey AG directs police departments hand over "anonymized" data on carry applications
The article argues that New Jersey’s post-Bruen legislation and directives represent a continued resistance to Supreme Court rulings expanding Second Amendment rights. Rather than accepting the new legal reality, state officials are attempting to control the narrative by collecting extensive data on permit holders. This approach is viewed as a political maneuver to justify restrictive policies under the guise of data-driven public safety, ignoring the constitutional mandates established by the court. The implementation of a centralized, electronic permit system is acknowledged as a positive administrative step that could reduce local inconsistencies in enforcement. However, the simultaneous mandate to gather anonymized application data is criticized as an invasive measure designed to monitor law-abiding citizens. The author suggests this data collection aims to create a misleading perception that expanded carry rights negatively impact community safety, thereby providing pretext for future restrictive regulations despite existing legal protections. This situation is relevant to open data discussions because it highlights the tension between government transparency and privacy concerns when state agencies collect sensitive personal information. The directive illustrates how data infrastructure can be leveraged not just for efficiency, but for political control and surveillance of lawful activities. It serves as a case study in how "data-driven policymaking" may conflict with constitutional liberties if used to target specific groups rather than inform neutral public service improvements.
Source: bearingarms.comPublished on 2023-06-20