(ULSTER COUNTY, N.Y.) – Paul J. Van Blarcum, the Sheriff of Ulster County, has called on all licensed handgun owners to carry their firearms when going out in public.

In a posting on the the Ulster County Sheriff Department’s Facebook page, Van Blarcum urged all those who are licensed to carry firearms to “PLEASE DO SO” [emphasis his]. He also called on all active duty and retired policemen “to please carry a weapon whenever you leave your house.”

The sheriff based his appeal “In light of recent events that have occurred in the United States and around the world.”

Here is the complete text of Sheriff Van Blarcum’s posting, which you can see here on Facebook:

December 3, 2015
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

 

The sheriff has also posted information on gun licensing prominently on the home page of the sheriff department’s website, and sent out the above message via other social media outlets, including Twitter.

According to the sheriff department website: Paul VanBlarcum joined the Sheriff’s Office in June of 1976. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1987 and has served in every division including patrol, investigations, corrections, security, civil, training, marine, and S.C.U.B.A. He is a 2009 graduate of the FBI National Academy, and in 2008 he graduated from the National Sheriff’s Institute in Colorado. His career also includes having been past president of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Employees’ Association and past vice-president of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association. The Sheriff has completed numerous law enforcement and corrections training schools and courses. His background includes a 1998 tour of service for the United Nations International Police Task Force in war-torn Bosnia , where he organized ‘Operation Cinderella’, a shoe drive that gathered over 17,000 pairs of shoes for the needy people of that country. That same year he was awarded the Ulster County Police Chief’s Award and the Pride of Ulster County Award. Having also served on the Onteora School Board and the Shandaken Town Council, Paul is a lifelong resident of Ulster County.
For your information, the phone number for the Ulster County Sheriff’s office is 845-338-3640.