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Apr 16, 2013

Why Did Social Security Want Missouri Conceal-Carry Records?

     From KBLA in Missouri:
The Missouri Department of Revenue is looking for a new Director.
Brian Long resigned Monday after weeks of controversy surrounding the scanning of documents for driver’s license and conceal-carry weapons applicants. The pressure increased last week when it was discovered that the agency compiled the entire list of the state’s 163-thousand CCW holders for the Missouri Highway Patrol.
The Patrol then provided it to the Social Security Administration for an investigation it was conducting. ..
Long had only been on the job for about three months. He earlier defended the DOR’s policy, saying the scanning of documents was necessary to combat fraud, and that no one’s information was being given to the federal government.
     Update: KY3 (what does this TV station have against giving its actual call letters?) reports that Social Security's Inspector General, Patrick O'Carroll, has apologized to a Missouri Congressman for "errors [his office] made in reporting aspects of what happened regarding the handling of Missourians' private information." I still don't have any idea why Social Security wanted the Missouri conceal-carry records. I don't think you have to be an NRA member to find this request a head-scatcher.

7 comments:

  1. According to another report, CIU was looking at comparing the applications for concealed carry permits in mental health-related disability cases.

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  2. All very odd because SSA has a long standing policy of not voluntarily using its data to help law enforcement.

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  3. The investigator was going to check the concealed carry permits against the SSA disability databases to see if anyone with a CCP claimed disabling mental disease - similar to checking the comercial drivers license databases or pilot license

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  4. re:anon 10:13--an action which is completely illegal, unethical and raises such constitutional red flags as to validate everything that the NRA or even ACLU espouses.SSA should be nowhere near this type of activity for any reason.

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  5. what is illegal about this type of activity? And I hope you're not serious when you say this is unethical?

    The government has the right (and really, the duty) to ensure that the beneficiaries that it pays meet certain requirements.

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  6. This is really complicated situation! Mental health centers should check this not social security. There are stipulations to CCW. If a citizen meets all requirements and guidelines there should be no one controlling their choices! Simple fact our elderly and handicap population is the highest victims in crime having a disability placard or plate is a target today. They should have most right to protect themsrlves.

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