RETIRED COP SAYS OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN HELP PROTECT SCHOOLS

Editor,

Several months ago I did submit a letter to the editor advising that the Rockland Journal News was shielding negative publicity surrounding Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Zebrowski during Carlucci’s bid for re-election. Carlucci’s opponent, Janis Castaldi, was supportive in seeking out legislation tor off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to legally carry firearms within educational institutions in New York State. Under HR 218, off-duty and retired law enforcement officers are permitted to carry firearms across jurisdictional boundaries, yet fall short of permitting us to carry on educational grounds under the Federal Gun Free School Zone Act.

Imagine having hundreds of active duty and retired law enforcement officers protecting our children while on educational grounds at zero cost to the taxpayer. Assemblywoman Rabbitt is spearheading legislation during the 2013 Assembly to permit off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms on educational grounds within NYS. Senator Carlucci and Assenblyman Zebrowski have refused to support countless requests to submit a bill. This is even after the mass shooting in the Connecticut school. These men should be condemned for remaining silent on this issue.

AJ Odze
Retired Chief of Police, USDOT
New City

  Journal News, law enforcement, schools