Gun permit map used by burglars to target home
A White Plains, New York residence pinpointed on a controversial handgun permit database was burglarized Saturday, and the burglars' target was the homeowner's gun safe according to local police.
At least two burglars broke into a home on Davis Avenue at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, but were unsuccessful in an attempt to open the safe, which contained legally owned weapons, according to a law enforcement source. One suspect was taken into custody, the source said.
The gun owner was not home when the burglary occurred, the source said. The victim, who is in his 70s, told Newsday on Sunday that he did not want to comment while the police investigation continues.
"The police are doing a full investigation," the man said through a partially opened front door.
There was broken glass in the backyard Sunday and a ladder leading up to a second-story window. Neighbors on the street of modest, Colonial homes said they had heard about the burglary.
The homeowner's name and address were included recently on the controversial interactive map of gun permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties published on The Journal News' website.
Neighbor John Mascia said he thought the gun permit database should not have been published. "I could [not] care less what they have in their home," Mascia said.