It doesn't look like protesters will need to return to the Bangor Daily News this afternoon as they had planned.

A statement released by the paper on Friday said it has rescinded their Maine Freedom of Access Act requests to Maine law enforcement agencies for records on concealed weapons permit carriers.

In the statement, Anthony Ronzio, director of news and new media at the BDN, said the paper was committed "to the privacy and security of the data," but  "these conversations have been trumped by rampant misinformation about our request, as well as swift political opportunism."

Earlier today, state Rep. Dick Campbell, R-Orrington, called on people to protest the paper saying no good could come of the BDN having that personal information even though they claimed they had no intention of publishing the information.

On Thursday,  Gov. Paul LePage launched his criticism of the request, with his office tweeting a  a photo of LePage displaying his own concealed weapons permit. His office issued the following statement:

"If newspapers would like to know who has concealed weapons permits, then they should know the Governor has his. I have serious concerns that (the) BDN's request will incite fear among gun owners and non-gun owners 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."

 

 

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