Illinois' Attorney General wants to publish a list of the state's gun owners

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A plan to block the release of the names of people authorized to have guns in Illinois has stalled despite gun owners' worries about privacy and safety.

The state attorney general's office issued an opinion this week saying the information is public record. The opinion came in response to an Associated Press request.

Gun advocates have called for lawmakers block release of the names of people who hold Firearm Owners identification cards. But a House committee halted a bill Wednesday that would prohibit state police from making the information public.

Anti-violence groups argue releasing the information helps keep government accountable.

Madigan's ruling allows for the release of cardholders' names but addresses and telephone numbers would remain private.