According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, off-duty officers will be allowed to carry concealed firearms during this year’s state fair in New York. Off-duty officers will need to provide their badge at the gate in order to carry. The policy, Hochul said, is not changing this year — despite an earlier memo sent out by State Police — and came down to a miscommunication.
By Sarah Calams
ALBANY, N.Y. — Off-duty police officers will no longer be allowed to carry concealed firearms at the New York State Fair this year.
The policy change, according to MidHudsonNews.com, was sent out in a department memo on the heels of the annual event taking place from August 24 to September 5. Previously, off-duty officers have been permitted to carry concealed firearms with valid credentials. On-duty officers at the state fair will still be allowed to carry and display their firearms.
State Police officials said the policy change wasn’t their decision, according to the report.
“We are highly trained and proficient in de-escalation tactics but also have considerable firearms training,” a trooper who wished to remain anonymous told the Mid-Hudson News. “Cops carry guns regardless of their work hours. We are never truly ‘off duty.’ Data shows that off-duty officers have repeatedly stepped up and thwarted situations that put the public at risk.”
NEXT: The basics: LEOSA and constitutional/permitless carry by state