The Governors of at least six U.S. states ordered members of the National Guard to be armed after the attacks at Chattanooga that left five servicemen dead.
"It is painful enough when we lose members of our armed forces when they are sent in harm's way, but it is unfathomable that they should be vulnerable for attack in our own communities," Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said in a statement.
Governors Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Rick Scott of Florida, Greg Abbott of Texas, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and Mike Pence of Indiana issued similar orders for National Guard members, Reuters reported. All six governors are Republican.
Scott ordered six storefront Florida National Guard recruiting centers to be moved to the nearest Guard armory buildings. He also directed Guard members who do not carry weapons to get them and obtain expedited concealed weapon permits, if necessary. Scott said in his executive order that bulletproof glass and better video surveillance equipment are among steps that should be considered to make recruiting offices safer, according to Raw Story.
Individual governors can arm their state's National Guard because the Guard is under state control in normal circumstances with the governor as the commander-in-chief. If the need arose, the National Guard can also be federalized by the president for use with the regular army in combat operations or disasters, Examiner reported.
"After the recent shooting in Chattanooga, it has become clear that our military personnel must have the ability to defend themselves against these type of attacks on our own soil," Abbott said. "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 enable them to protect those living and working on the base."
