AUGUSTA (WGME) -- A request by the Bangor Daily News is stirring up controversy across the state.
The newspaper is asking all police departments for a list of people who have a concealed weapons permit.
The move triggered an immediate response from the public, lawmakers and even the governor.
Nearly 30,000 Mainers have a concealed weapons permit. That includes Governor Paul LePage, who tweeted a picture of himself holding his concealed weapons permit.
In a statement, Governor LePage said quote, "If newspapers would like to know who has a concealed weapons permit, then they should know the Governor has his."
The governor went on to say, "I have serious concerns that the BDN's request will incite fear among gun owners and non-gunowners alike regarding their safety. There is no reason why these records should be public and I encourage the Legislature to act quickly to make this personal information confidential.
As of right now, the records are available through the Freedom of Access Act.
Immediately following the request by the Bangor Daily News, Republicans called on Democrats to fast-track a bill to make the information private.
The Bangor Daily News did respond, saying this is all a big misunderstanding.
The director of news says the newspaper requested the information as part of long-term reporting projects on a number of different topics.
In a statement, Anthony Ronzio said, "No identifying information about permit holders will be published, and no stories specifically about permit holders are planned."
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