Thursday, April 4, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – With broad bipartisan support, Representative Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, introduced legislation today to authorize Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) to carry firearms. Under the legislation, VPSOs armed with firearms would meet satisfactory training standards.

Co-sponsors of House Bill 199 include Representatives Bob Herron, D-Bethel; Ben Nageak, D-Barrow; Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell; Cathy Munoz, R-Juneau; Paul Seaton, R-Homer; David Guttenberg, D-Fairbanks; Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau; and, Neal Foster, D-Nome. All are members of the House Bush Caucus, which Edgmon chairs.

Deeply troubled by the recent shooting death of unarmed VPSO Thomas Madole in the village of Manokotak, Edgmon feels that the state must take this step.

“I just don’t think it is fair or reasonable to continue to ask our VPSOs to walk unarmed into situations that pose such obvious dangers,” Edgmon said. “These officers work essentially without backup, in locations where a call to the Troopers can mean hours before help arrives. This is one reason that recruitment and retention of VPSOs has been such a challenge.”

In addition to the tragic loss of Officer Madole, Edgmon cited the 1986 slaying of VPSO Ronald Zimin, who was shot as he responded to a domestic violence call in South Naknek. Like Manokotak, South Naknek is located in Edgmon’s legislative district.

“It’s my hope that properly arming our VPSOs will have a deterrent effect that makes not just the officers but whole communities safer,” Edgmon said. “At the very least, I want this legislation to stimulate a serious appraisal of what must happen—and happen soon—to better protect all bush Alaskans.”

HB 199 was referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees.