Jerome Hauer used the laser sighting device on his gun as a laser pointer while giving a presentation to a foreign delegation last fall, it was reported on January 5, 2014.
Hauer is the director of homeland security for New York.
He used the device on his gun at a “highly secure state emergency operations center below State Police headquarters” in Albany, New York, reported the Times Union.
Citing public officials, the outlet reported that three Swedish emergency managers in the delegation were rattled when the gun’s laser moved across their heads before settling on the map of New York. Additionally, two people opposite Hauer quickly moved out of the way when he brought out the gun.
Hauer was partially disabled by a stroke a few years ago and carries the loaded 9-millimeter Glock in a holster in apparent violation of state law.
The briefing during which the incident happened was about the state’s response to Hurricane Sandy.
No one denied to the Times Union that the incident happened. Hauer, when asked, told a reporter that “you have bad sources” but would not elaborate.
Hauer’s communications officer, Peter Cutler, said that he’s heard rumors, but isn’t sure what happened that day.
Hauer is described on the state’s website as “one of the nation’s true innovators in public safety, emergency management, medical and public health planning and response to emergencies disasters and terrorism.”
