Times Publishing Company v. Robert N. Michel

Times Publishing Company, Inc. and William McKinney (collectively, Appellants) appeal from an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County which granted Appellants limited access to documents under the Act of June 21, 1957, P.L. 390, as amended, 65 P.S. ?? 66.1 - 66.4, commonly referred to as Pennsylvanias "Right-to-Know Act" (Act). McKinney, a reporter for Times Publishing Company, Inc. requested and was refused the right to view and copy written applications which pertain to valid licenses to carry firearms issued by Sheriff Robert N. Michel. Appellants requested only those applications which had been approved and resulted in the issuance of a license. The central issue presented to this Court is to what extent information contained in the applications is subject to public disclosure under the Act.