Suffolk County Lawmakers Vote To Arm Off-Duty Correction Officers

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Because of threats, correction officers in Suffolk County will be given guns to carry while off duty.

As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, county lawmakers voted unanimously to arm some 200 officers with Glock 9 mm pistols.

The Legislature heard testimony of how correction officers are forced to deal with threats and retaliation from former inmates, gang members and other hardened criminals.

Listen to Suffolk County Lawmakers Vote To Arm Off-Duty Correction Officers

The measure will cost taxpayers $115,000.

Officials say most correction officers don't carry guns while on the job to avoid the chance of being disarmed by inmates.

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