Suffolk County lawmakers tabled a bill Tuesday that would give police officers, firefighters and other first responders the authority to tell civilians to move at least 15 feet from them, citing concerns about the legality of the proposal.

Police union officials and a Setauket fire commissioner urged the Suffolk County Legislature to pass the bill at a public hearing in Hauppauge, saying it would protect both first responders and the public, shortly before its sponsor, Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, called for the measure to be recessed.

"I know some of my colleagues had some concerns about the law," said McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst). "We’re going to do some legal research to make sure we are on firm footing."

The First Responder Safety Zone Act, a mirror image of a bill approved by t

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