The Yamhill County Sheriff's Office is asking holders of concealed handgun licenses, via the office's website, whether they want their names made public in response to any public records requests the county might receive in that regard.

In accordance with Oregon's public records law, sheriff's offices have routinely provided lists of license-holders to anyone who requested them, Capt. Ken Summers said. But with growing concern about identity theft and privacy, some have begun to balk.

Jackson County Circuit Court in Medford ruled in April that only holders whose documented purpose was personal security could legally have their names withheld. Since then, several sheriff's offices have taken steps allowing holders to so state if they wish.

The Jackson County ruling arose from a 2007 case in which a Medford teacher wanted to come to school armed with a concealed handgun, saying a domestic situation led her to fear for her safety. She held a valid license, but the school district denied her permission to come onto school property armed.

The Medford Mail Tribune subsequently asked the sheriff for the names of all holders of concealed handgun licenses. He refused, based on a provision in Oregon law stating records can be withheld if their release would reveal security measures a person has taken.

The court concluded that protection is only open to license holders who have formally documented a security or personal safety reason for carrying a concealed weapon. That ruling has since been appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals, whose decisions can be appealed further to the Oregon Supreme Court.

While pledging to follow whatever dictates come down from Oregon's appellate courts, Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree said he believes disclosure of personal information is contrary to the desires of most license holders, and thus contrary to the public interest.

"I have always resisted any attempts to have CHL holders' personal information released to the general public," Crabtree said. "I believe that citizens get a CHL for their security and the security of their families."

For that reason, he said, they do not want that information made public. "It is their belief that release of this information would jeopardize their personal safety and security," he said.

Crabtree has posted a letter on the sheriff's office website, located at www.co.yamhill.or.us/sheriff, that holders can print out. It allows them to check yes or no to the following statements:

n I am requesting that my application and information be maintained as confidential and not released to the public.

n I am applying for a CHL as a personal safety measure and do not want my information about my application or CHL status released to the public.

They can mail completed forms to the sheriff's office to place their positions on the record.