More likely, the hiring of guards is just part of the stunt -- gives an air of credibility to alleged threats they've received; paint gun owners as dangerous lunatics.
They've gone long past the point of reporting the story and are trying to be the story. (Gonzo Journalism, or as I like to call it, Geraldoism)
Aww... And I was so enjoying the mental picture of:
setting: offices of newspaper Tom: Well, George, seems like we're getting a lot of responce from that article we ran locating people with guns.
George: Yes, Tom. It even made national news outlets.
Tom: And look at all these comments and letters!
Tom and George read some of the letters Tom: Wow, a lot of these people are really angry.
George: Yes, Tom. The article seems to have pissed a lot of people off.
Tom: I'm wonder... A lot of these people have guns and they are really mad.
George: Yeah, so?
Tom: Well, they all have those evil guns that makes them violent.
George: I'm not following you, Tom.
Tom: Well, the guns might make them shoot us.
Tom and George make poopy face George: Oh, God!! We need guns!! Call for a security company!
Tom: Good idea, George.
The moment of poopy face was just priceless in my mind.