NEW YORK (AP) — Officials in Putnam County, N.Y., say they’ll refuse a newspaper’s request to release the names and addresses of residents with pistol permits.

Robert Freeman of the state’s Committee on Open Government says the county outside New York City would be violating state law if it withholds public data.

Journal News officials report Putnam County officials have scheduled a news conference for today to announce their decision to deny the request.

In December, the Journal News published online maps that allow viewers to see the names and addresses of pistol and revolver permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties.

Critics have called that an invasion of privacy. Some say it could endanger permit holders.

The newspaper stands by the project. It sought the information after the Dec. 14 school shooting in Newtown, Conn.

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