It is no secret to any subscriber that newspapers are highly liberal in their agendas. At times, editorials lean so far left as to raise serious doubts of any common sense relevance.

The Sun Journal is no exception. In 2006, despite public outcries, it championed the storm water runoff scheme as a user fee that has mutated into an open-ended cash cow.

In 2010 it rallied for tax reform that would have burdened Maine people under the pretext of targeting tourists. Again in 2010, under the guise of benefiting the education systems, it defended releasing children’s Social Security numbers to entities who have no right to such private data.

Exasperating examples abound for anyone who reads the editorials.

The Sun Journal now endorses releasing data on all concealed weapon owners in the state. Whether the Bangor Daily News ever intended to publish this highly sensitive information is immaterial.

Since editors freely express their views, I respectfully demand they answer these questions.

Whereas only law-abiding citizens submit to intensive background checks for concealed permits, what purpose serves the public by releasing such personal data to any individual or organization bent on satisfying dubious curiosities under the Freedom of Access Act — a controversial law that should apply only to insidious activities?

Why do you fear or strive to oppress the only people honest enough to respect the law?

Roger Turcotte, Lewiston

Editor’s note: Maine’s Freedom of Access Act does not consider intent or purpose of requests in granting access to public information. Under Title 25, Section 2006 (adopted by the Legislature in 1985, revised in 1999 and again in 2011), at the time of the BDN request, permits to carry concealed handguns “must be available for public inspection.” That requirement of mandatory public access was strengthened in 2011 at the request of Gov. LePage. The Legislature is now evaluating whether to redefine that requirement. Concealed handgun permit holders are not the “only people honest enough to respect the law.” There are hundreds of thousands of non-permit holders who also abide by the law.