Locals React To Ulster Sheriff’s FB Post

Posted on: December 6, 2015.

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Paula Mitchell

On Thursday, Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum posted the following on the sheriff’s office Facebook page:

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

Ulster County District Attorney made the following statement in response:

“I have been asked to comment on a posting on Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum’s webpage.

First, let me say that I have complete confidence in Paul. I find him to be thoughtful and direct and a bonafide asset to our community that he proudly serves. I am at a loss to explain this unprecedented carnage which we are experiencing in this country and around the world. I do not know what the answer is.

Though I fully support our right to bear arms and to defend ourselves, I am not convinced more guns in the hands of untrained or unskilled civilians is the answer and nor do I believe does the Sheriff.

I discourage anyone from misreading the Sheriff’s comments. I think it is better to prevent than to respond. Our best course is, if you see something, say something. Common among all of these atrocities is that they are not random nor unplanned. In all of these situations we hear, after the fact, comments from family or associates who saw signs but did not take any action.

Perhaps more than ever our response as a community should be cautioned and thoughtful. Ulster County is blessed with an exceptionally trained and proficient law enforcement community. I would discourage any action where untrained or unskilled citizens create an opportunity for unintended tragedy which could pose risk not only to innocent citizens but to our own law enforcement personnel.”

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff also responded with the following:

“I concur with Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum that licensed gun owners should carry their licensed handguns if they feel that they are comfortable and proficient enough to do so. They should also be familiar with State and local laws that govern firearms and the use of deadly physical force.

I also join Sheriff Van Blarcum in urging off duty police/peace officers and qualified retired law enforcement personnel to carry their firearms as well.

The police cannot be everywhere. The second amendment and the laws of New York State give citizens the tools to defend themselves and their families from harm, until law enforcement can arrive on the scene.

Given the recent attacks in our country and abroad, citizens should be aware of their surroundings, exercise vigilance and not be afraid to report any suspicious activity.

If you see something, say something.”

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5 Responses to Locals React To Ulster Sheriff’s FB Post

frank merg December 4, 2015 at 6:50 am

if people took the time to read and understand what the sheriff said they would see he made it very clear that a person should be “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.”
this is a right of all to defend them self’s
a right that the “anti gun” people just dont get
a person with a firearm can respond in 30 seconds
a police officer with a good response time would be 3 minutes
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Barbara Russell December 4, 2015 at 1:44 pm

I would like to day that I have NEVER heard a gun owner admit that they are NOT comfortable and proficient with their gun and they are also sure they know and understand the gun laws 100% so i wish luck to the police officers, when arriving on the scene of a shooting to determine whinin a few seconds which of ALL the persons with guns drawn is the actual shooter!
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A.J. Chiappinelli December 7, 2015 at 9:01 am

Barbara is speaking from the liberal uninformed side of this topic, which is always where liberals stand. A responsible, licensed handgun owner Does Not have to justify whether they are proficient or comfortable in the use of their weapon or
understand the gun laws in their particular State, County or City. They have been vetted, and trained and licensed in the use and responsibilities that come with the right to carry. The Police for your information are trained professionals who protect the innocent and do make distinctions between the bad guys, in the case of San Bernadino, the Tactical Geared-Up Muslim Jihadists from those wounded and dead innocents.
Get your facts right before you speel off in liberal rants.
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Reginald Hafner December 7, 2015 at 9:02 am

Somebody needs to inform the DA that police are civilians and they are definitely not the best trained.
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Matt December 7, 2015 at 11:42 am

Reginald, you beat me to it.

Setting police apart from their neighbors as all superior in firearms handling and as part of the military simply reinforces and promotes their bad behavior. They are citizens, equal to the rest of us.

I caution everyone, that when I’m at the gun range and notice anyone in law enforcement unpack at the next table, that I stand back and watch them to make sure they are safe. I find that many are neither safe or capable.
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