Nassau County’s Democratic legislators joined with advocacy groups and residents Monday to call on Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman to abandon his plans for what they’re calling a county militia.

Blakeman says he wants to deputize pre-screened citizens with gun licenses so they can be called upon in cases of “significant emergency” to protect government buildings, hospitals, religious centers and utilities – but not to patrol. He says that some of the more than 100 applicants will begin training this week, and that it will take at least 30 days before he has 25 or so people available, if needed to be called upon.

Opponents of the program say they believe the Nassau County Police Department can handle these responsibilities, and there are too many unanswered questions regarding the deputized citizens about accountability and training.