The name, date of birth, and address of every single concealed carry permit holder in California were leaked this week by the state’s Department of Justice (DOJ).
The data breach came as the DOJ was rolling out a new Firearms Dashboard Portal that was created to increase “transparency and information sharing” amongst communities while also protecting “personal identifying information.”
“Transparency is key to increasing public trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” said Attorney General Bonta on Monday in a press release. “As news of tragic mass shootings continue to dominate the news cycle, leaving many with feelings of fear and uncertainty, we must do everything we can to prevent gun violence.”
“One of my continued priorities is to better provide information needed to help advance efforts that strengthen California’s commonsense gun laws. Today’s announcement puts power and information into the hands of our communities by helping them better understand the role and potential dangers of firearms within our state,” Bonta said.
On the dashboard, visitors could find data from the past decade for all of the following:
- Dealer Record of Sales
- Gun Violence Restraining Orders
- Carry Concealed Weapons Permits
- Firearms Safety Certificates
- Assault Weapons
- Roster of Certified Handguns
However, users who visited the platform on Monday during its initial launch quickly noted that the DOJ was not living up to its promise to protect personal info.
As Fox40 reported:
Sheriff’s Office officials say the information released included the CCW holders’ name, age, address, Criminal Identification Index (CII) number and license type (Standard, Judicial, Reserve and Custodial). The information included every CCW holder in the state.
In response to the error, the DOJ released a statement.
SEE ALSO: New California Bill Allowing Gun Owner Information to Be Shared with Nonprofits Comes Under Fire
“We are investigating an exposure of individuals’ personal information connected to the DOJ Firearms Dashboard,” the DOJ said. “Any unauthorized release of personal information is unacceptable.”
“We are working swiftly to address this situation and will provide additional information as soon as possible,” the agency continued.
Gun-rights groups, specifically the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the National Rifle Association (NRA), claim the data breach was inevitable following the enactment of AB 173, the gun-control bill that paved the way for the portal.
Both groups filed lawsuits (Doe v. Bonta and Barba v. Bonta) to protect gun owners’ privacy and to stop something like this from happening.
“We knew that somehow this private gun owner information would get leaked or misused and that is why the Second Amendment Foundation filed suit against the state of California,” said SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb in an email to GunsAmerica. “We have been proved right.”
“This is a disgusting violation of the right of privacy,” Gottlieb added.
During an April 5 hearing of Doe v. Bonta, a representative for the DOJ explicitly said that it would keep the sensitive information confidential and that any breach could even lead to criminal prosecution.
Per NRA-ILA:
We acknowledge that the information is confidential. AB 173, I think, is quite clear that the information can’t be shared publicly. It’s our position that, if there is a disclosure, that those whose information is disclosed would have various remedies including – there might be criminal implications for someone who disclosed the information knowingly. There is civil remedies under various state laws. And so the information is confidential…
Clearly, the DOJ did not hold up its end of the bargain. The question now is will anyone be held accountable for this gross violation of privacy?
Stay tuned for updates.
Criminal activists , it would be shame if their info was leaked , address , cell phone and other important private info.
They did the same thing in my county in Colorado twenty years ago, The media was saying that there would be a blood bath once permits were issued and people began carrying
“Accidental” yeah right. What a bunch of lies and BS. This was intentional as any public facing portal is always tested and validated by the creator and then tested and validated again by internal staff to ensure everything is fully functional and correct before being released for use.
Was Diane Feinstein included on that list? Hey, ain’t that the state that refuses to provide the mug shot of a well heeled and politically connected husband that was arrested for a DUI?
Ah, yes, wasent it frau feinstein who personally and publicly turned-in the first handgun after signing the no-guns bill in san freakstinkingsicko? Or i may be confusing her with babbles boxer…..a flashy engraved s&w 38 snubby, as i recall, like what her bodyguard detail traded-in for their uzis
“I’m from the DOJ, and I’m here to help”
Phew, I feel safe now.
The information will probably wind-up being sold to gangs, who will now know who has what and where to get it.
Like back when the black panthers got that list of people who had food storage before it was a thing. The left and other tyrants remember what “a few” free men could do to an evil empire so broadspread “the sun never set” on it. The sheep may not remember much, but the sheepdogs remember what wolfes can do. Vigilance can never sleep, because tyranny dosent.
Ah yes, an “accidental” release of private, confidential information. Oh but, they couldn’t forsee that anyone authorized to access the Portal might forward or copy what it contains and pass it on to a certain 3rd party to use for whatever ends they wanted.
Just wait when Red Flag victims are judged innocent of the charges and legally are allowed to repossess their confiscated guns. The institution holding those guns checks the on-line database, which has Not been updated to reflect that fact. Two years later and $20,000 in lawyer fees, the victim Finally gets his guns back… minus two that “can’t be located.” Wait, it’s coming.
“We’re from the govt., and we only care about your safety & well-being.”
This was nothing more than RETALIATION by Gov. Gavin Newsom who is upset with SCOTUS’ recent decision on the Second Amendment, which he hates and despises along with the citizens who would dare to exercise that Constitutional right. He and his lap dog, appointed AG Bonta will do anything to continue to infringe upon and violate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens on a daily basis, while ignoring criminals who commit crimes with illegal guns every single day.
ANOTHER time the phrase “common sense gun laws” is misused. Here’s my version: (1) prosecute criminals with EXISTING gun laws.(2). Keep the SOB’s locked up for their entire term-no early parole or plea bargain (3) where applicable (death of an innocent party by the criminal use of a firearm) use the death penalty–it absolutely 100% reduces repeat offenders. Oh wait, these ste common sense criminal control laws!
WHAT , THE ACTUAL F*¢!< ?!? California is so full of idiots. (Dems mostly are the cause , but any Republicans that stay in Commiefornia deserve what they get….)
Fewer and fwer republicans continue to think they can still do something, there…..others, a la aesops feathers, give up on even being able to leave, and just hope for the best. But! Recent polls and elections seem to indicate a switch to The Right Side on The Left Coast. Still not overmuch interested in moving back there, as a california refugee and an oregon escapee
Wonder what the “state” would do if someone hacked the state files and published the names. and addresses of all the state employees? Kind of reminds me of pre-war Germany when they painted “JUDA” on the Jewish owned businesses !!!
Hmm, gold stars, pink triangles, the crosses, the other shapes and colors, are now fashion statements among those who dont know/care about the history, like the argument about , say, the stolen history of the sanskrit swastika, the arguments about the rebel flag having nothing to do with slavery, the cultural appropriation of the rainbow, unicorn, leprechaun, brownies, fairies; oh, This Now Means This, Not That, and dont you dare say otherwise! thats all part of “funamenally restrutchering amurka as we know it”. Tell the big lie often enough, and enough will believe it (and we can deal with those who dont), isnt hitler or goebbels, i had heard it was lenin, before the kaiser bought him a ticket and said go east, young man. (you just cant find that kinda stuff on g⊙⊙gle, wazzapwidat?)
Ill bet Pelosi a nd other hollywierd names were deleted
Leaked? Leaked?? Leaked??? NOT SOOOOOooooo!!!! This PRIVATE information was set up to be PUBLISHED. A NNNNN D! IT WAS MADE PUBLICLY AVAILIBLE. THUS, THIS PRIVATE INFORMATION WAS PUBLISHED!! Those “government workers” who enabled this MUST BE HELD PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBE! IT will take YEARS before this DASTARDLY DEED takes effect!
That’s why I’m leaving this state. The only people granted ccws are political people friends Of sherrifs or judges and da’s. Screw this commie state of ca. I’m goin to sc this month to my new home with lower taxes and the right to carry and protect my loved ones. All ca idiots pay for machine gun toting idiots to protect Feinstein and those like her. I begged the nra for years to do more in ca. they did nothing. I’m moving to one of the last three free states so called. If there’s global warming I hope California gets drowned in the sea. There’s no second amendment in this state. The second amendment here might as well be the right to be robbed raped and taxed in a state that cares for no one and is only set up to line the pockets of theit forever dictatorship of Gavin newsom. I’ve worked as a sub contractor in his restaurant’sin the urinal considered a city of San Francisco. Not only did he not pay, they couldn’t pass a real city health examination. Unless a 75$ rat terd salad is considered a delicacy. Goodbye to this super corrupt ass state.
Took you this long? One favor: DO NOT bring any liberal BS(if you possess any) to your new state. Commiefornia transplants have ruined CO, NV, ID, and they’re working on MT and even TX.
Well there you go, you give anti-gun groups access to that info and they use it to to cause chaos and harm. Any license holder who now shoots someone in self defense should now be exonerated immediately!!!
Exactly right. CA DOJ has taken a monumental step to drive the “approved” good guys out of the state. This is crazy on so many levels. I envision a class action suit against the state that will require reimbursement to all CCW holders to cover expenses around home surveillance equipment & monitoring services and advanced self defense training. How about a no-charge fast track process for all CCW holders to get a new drivers license that includes compensation for time off work related to submitting claims.
We are just at the tip of the iceberg.
Dealer record of sales – Hey all of you Dems who purchased firearms in the last ten years, how to you feel about organized criminals knowing what you have and where you live?
From my point of view, it’s probably safe to say that CCW holders and gun folks in general are hard working people who abide by the rules, pay their taxes……as their numbers leave the state, a vacuum will be created to make more room of illegals and creatures who prey of decent people.
To the far left…..it needs to be acknowledged this stupidity by the CA DOJ plays right into your hands. What a coincidence that it comes to light as new gun related restrictions go into effect. Now….. back to your pride parade planning.