CARMEL, N.Y. (AP) — The top prosecutor in a suburban New York county said Monday that releasing the names and addresses of licensed gun owners is irresponsible because the information is then available to criminals.

Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy announced his support for the county clerk's refusal to release the information to The Journal News, which has filed a Freedom of Information request.

"To disclose the information so it's available to people with criminal intentions is unacceptable and irresponsible," Levy said in an emailed statement.