In the wake of the recent attacks in Paris, King County Sheriff John Urquhart is asking his deputies to carry their weapons and extra bullets while off duty.
“Of course we should all stay vigilant and ‘if you see something say something,’ but after Paris, that doesn’t seem enough,” said Sheriff John Urquhart. “While off duty I am asking all commissioned personnel to always carry their sidearm, with extra magazines.”
While Urquhart said in his email that the FBI has not received any specific, credible information of any imminent attacks to this country, he believes home-grown terrorists pose a threat to the Seattle area. “I believe the bigger threat to the greater Seattle area is a home-grown terrorist who decides to act unilaterally in support of [ISIS],” Urquhart said.
Some sheriffs deputies regularly carry their sidearms while off duty, Urquhart said, but he is asking all deputies to always carry their weapons.
Eight attackers struck a handful of cites in Paris on Nov. 13, killing at least 130 persons and injuring over 350 persons. A variety of methods were used, including bombings, hand grenades and small arms at five shooting locations and three bombing locations in and just outside Paris.
“With all that is going in the world, it is more important than ever to have the means to protect your family, the public, and yourself,” Urquhart said.