In direct response to the shooting in Chattanooga, Governor Abbott announced on Saturday he will order the National Guard to carry guns at all military facilities statewide.
“I think that this is a safety precaution that the governor felt was appropriate to protect the lives of the men and women that are in the military and Texas military forces,” State Representative Doug Miller (R-District 73) said. “We can’t wait until someone loses their lives, or multiple people lose their lives.”
In the statement released Saturday, Governor Abbott said, “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. 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.”
According to the Texas Military Forces website, there are guardsmen at 104 facilities across the state.
“What we are going to get out of Camp Mabry where the Adjutant General is, that there will be a protocol put in place, and then those base commanders will be able to discuss with local officials how things are handled, if they have any concerns,” Miller said.
Governor Abbott joins at least six other governors nationwide who made similar decisions to arm the National Guard in their states.
“I think it shows that Governor Abbott has quickly established himself as a leader among governors,” Aaron Whitehead, Communications Director of the Republican Party of Texas said. “I think if he was not the first [then he was] one of the first governors to take this type of action. And the feedback that we have received from it has been fantastic.”
House of Homeland Security Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tx) also praised Governor Abbott’s decision.
“I commend Governor Abbott for his leadership. Our armed services must have the ability to protect themselves on military bases in the U.S. and abroad. In May, Rep. Carter and I offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which passed the House that would give base commanders the discretion to allow our service members to carry weapons as a force protection measure,” McCaul said in a statement Monday. “The recent shootings have proven that enough is enough, we need to let our troops protect themselves.”
