With a New York Judge upgrading the warrant requirement for a cell site simulator from probable cause to eavesdropping, it is important to take a look back at our census and the data researchers have compiled about these invasive surveillance tools.

Eight months ago, MuckRock launched a new project to examine nationwide gun policies. It was a simple premise: file the same FOIA request with all 50 Attorney General offices and state police departments, and see what standards we can draw. What we got, however, illustrates just how little consistency in the data there is - and how difficult tackling this problem can be.