I am proud to announce that that today – after 9 years of litigation – Adams County Senior Judge John D. Kuhn, specially presiding, signed a Final Order approving a settlement that was reached with Franklin County in the matter of John Doe 1, et al., v. Franklin County, et al, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas docket no. 2014-cv-4623, stemming from the County’s disclosure of confidential license to carry firearms (“LTCF”) applicant information through the use of un-enveloped postcards. A copy of the Final Approval Order will be made available shortly on the Class Administrator’s website – www.FranklinLTCFClassAction.com.
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As a result of the Settlement, the County’s insurance will pay $3,000,000.00 to the approximately 6,100 class members, who were sent un-enveloped postcards. Further, and of similar importance, the County has agreed to the entry of a permanent injunction, among other things:
- Prohibiting them from sending out un-enveloped postcards containing LTCF applicant information, including, but not limited to, LTCF applications, renewals, denials, and approvals.
- Prohibiting them from requiring any information or documentation not required by the LTCF application form (SP 4-127) promulgated by the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Requiring them to train, on at least an annual basis, all employees involved with LTCF applications, renewals, denials, and approvals regarding the confidentiality of LTCF Information pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.
Provide no appeal is taken to the final approval, checks will start being sent out to all class members around December 6, 2023. Based on the settlement reached, unlike in most class actions, class members do NOT need to submit any forms or requests for payment. Those aggrieved (who did not exclude themselves) will simply receive checks in the mail without any action on their part. Any checks that are not cashed within 90 days will be voided and any such unclaimed money will be distributed equally, in fifty percent (50%) shares between the PA Sheriff Association (solely to be utilized to provide training and equipment to sheriff departments across Pennsylvania) and Firearm Owners Against Crime – PAC.
You can find out more information about the class action lawsuit, including a copy of the Settlement Agreement, on the class administrator’s website – www.FranklinLTCFClassAction.com. If you have any questions about the class action, please contact the class administrator, Continental DataLogix LLC, at (833) 215-9289, in writing at Franklin County Class Action, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 16, West Point, PA 19486, or online.
If your confidential license to carry firearms information has been disclosed, contact Firearms Industry Consulting Group today to discuss YOUR rights and legal options.
Firearms Industry Consulting Group® (FICG®) is a registered trademark and division of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., with rights and permissions granted to Prince Law Offices, P.C. to use in this article.
