Ulster Sheriff Urges Residents to Carry Firearms

Update:: Listen to our interview with Ulster County Sheriff Paul J. Van Blarcum on Friday at 9:15AM.

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In a controversial online posting, the Ulster County sheriff has urged all licensed residents to carry firearms whenever they leave their homes.

The official Ulster County Sheriff's Office Facebook account posted the following message just before noon on Thursday. It reads:

ATTENTION LICENSED HANDGUN OWNERS

In light of recent events that have occurred in the United States and around the world I want to encourage citizens of Ulster County who are licensed to carry a firearm to PLEASE DO SO.

I urge you to responsibly take advantage of your legal right to carry a firearm. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, make sure you are comfortable and proficient with your weapon, and knowledgeable of the laws in New York State with regards to carrying a weapon and when it is legal to use it.

I also want to remind all Police/Peace Officers both active duty and retired to please carry a weapon whenever you leave your house. We are the thin blue line that is entrusted in keeping this country safe, and we must be prepared to act at any given moment.

Thank you,

Paul J. Van Blarcum
Ulster County Sheriff

Reaction from the community was split over the posting, with some applauding the Sheriff's stance on guns an others boggled by the divisive statement.

Facebook user Alex Panagiotopoulos wrote: "They should stick to fighting crime instead of issuing statements that alienate 50% of the people who pay their salary. There is no reason to post this other than to promote the Sheriff's personal views."

Christopher Duncan agreed saying "This leads to lawlessness. Not to increased safety. It preys on people's fears. Rather than strengths and hopes." Facebook user, Daniella Masciangelo, added "This is a crazy thing to advise. You do realize that many people you are instructing to patrol the community have NO clue and will NOT inform themselves of the laws and safe practices of gun handling."

Others were in agreement with Van Blarcum. Louis Roman said "Yes, the way to deal with a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun period. Way to go Ulster country." Debbie Schultz added "Thank you sheriff iam (sp) in Orange County and I do not feel safe anymore.. Iam (sp) thinking of getting a firearm legal of course."

Patrick Kerby echoed the sentiments of many who agreed with the posting by saying "This sheriff gets it. 'When seconds count the police are only minutes away'. Armed citizens are the first and last line of defense in America."

The posting has generated a firestorm of a debate online. We want to know what you think. Was the Sheriff right to urge the citizens of Ulster County to carry firearms or did the statement do more harm than good?