I've seen that theory floated by others. I'm inclined to think it's a form of "oops" retribution. But it's not the first time such things have happened. I think it was NY state that this data was public, and newspapers ran a map of all things, with "hot spots" of high concentration of gun owners. Some states then acted to make who has a CCW permit non-FOIA-able. And previously, this same CA data was given to academic researchers for some reason.

I suppose we would have to follow up and see if there is a rise in the use of such laws.

EDIT: Here is an article about that release of similar data in 2013 https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2013/gawker-releases-list-of-gun-owners-in-new-york-city/

I've seen that theory floated by others. I'm inclined to think it's a form of "oops" retribution. But it's not the first time such things have happened. I think it was NY state that this data was public, and newspapers ran a map of all things, with "hot spots" of high concentration of gun owners. Some states then acted to make who has a CCW permit non-FOIA-able. And previously, this same CA data was given to academic researchers for some reason.

I suppose we would have to follow up and see if there is a rise in the use of such laws.