The New York City-area newspaper that incited controversy in publishing an interactive map of gun permit holders while advocating for strict gun control laws has absorbed the backlash with a touch of irony: it reportedly hired armed security guards at its office due to thousands of angry emails and phone calls.

The Rockland County bureau of The Journal News, serving the suburbs just north of New York City, has hired a local security company, according to a police report obtained by the Rockland County Times, a local competitor newspaper. RGA Investigations security detail will be protecting The Journal News' office through at least January 2, the newspaper reports.