In the wake of the terrorist attack at Chattanooga’s U.S. Navy Recruiting office and Reserve Center, six governors have banded together to ensure National Guardsmen and other military personnel will be able carry firearms while at military facilities.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and other governors have responded to the four slain Marines and one wounded police officer not by calling for stricter gun control legislation, but by demanding our National Guardsmen have the means to defend themselves.
“As commander-in-chief of the Indiana National Guard, I will not permit our citizen-soldiers to remain unable to defend themselves and our citizens at facilities in our state,” said Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. “Hoosiers may be assured that those who have stepped forward to defend our state and nation will have the ability to defend themselves.”
“They need to be safe and they need to armed,” said Florida Gov. Rick Scott, referring to our military personnel.
Some of the proposed changes include upgrading military storefront facilities with bulletproof glass, installing video surveillance, and collaborating with local law enforcement to bolster security. But while these changes are being implemented, recruitment centers will be relocated to National Guard Armories.
“Arming the National Guard at these bases will not only serve as a deterrent to anyone wishing to do harm to our service men and women, but will be able them to protect those living and working on the base,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbot.
“I want to join in those who are calling for greater security at our recruiting stations and military installation,” said Gov. Hutchinson. “We’ve had numerous instances of attacks. Clearly they are a target, and for us to have unarmed military personnel makes no sense, which is why I am directing Major General Mark Berry to arm full-time personnel as he deems necessary at military installations.”
The terrorist attack at Chattanooga has left many families shattered and the nation shaken, but thankfully, the terrible incident has spurred at least six governors to step up to the plate and take the necessary actions to ensure that our Guardsmen are armed at all times.
“Our hearts break at the news of another senseless act of violence and terror, this time out of Chattanooga,” said Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “Our prayers go out to all the families of the victims, especially the family of Staff Sgt. David Wyatt of Russellville, one of Arkansas’s own.”
(This article was a submission from freelance writer Brent Rogers)