AUSTIN (July 18, 2015) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Saturday he’s authorizing Texas National Guard Adjutant Gen. John Nichols to arm troops at facilities across the state in response to the deadly shooting rampage in Tennessee.
Kuwait-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tenn., opened fire Thursday at a recruiting center in Chattanooga, Tenn., and then drove several miles to a Navy and Marine reserve center, where he shot and killed four Marines, and wounded a sailor who died Saturday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” Abbott said in a press release Saturday.
“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,” he 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.”
Earlier Saturday Florida Gov. Rick Scott told National Guard recruiters at six storefront locations to relocate to the nearest armory.
Scott called Saturday for a review of security at Guard recruitment centers, possibly installing bullet-proof glass at the storefronts or video surveillance equipment.
Scott's order also calls on National Guard officers to ensure that full-time members of the guard are armed.
Weapons will be given to members of the guard who do not currently have them, he said.
U.S. military officials said security at recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed in the wake of the Chattanooga rampage, but the Army's top officer said it's too early to say whether the facilities should have security guards or other increased protection
Kuwait-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tenn., opened fire Thursday at a recruiting center in Chattanooga, Tenn., and then drove several miles to a Navy and Marine reserve center, where he shot and killed four Marines, and wounded a sailor who died Saturday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” Abbott said in a press release Saturday.
“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,” he 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.”
Earlier Saturday Florida Gov. Rick Scott told National Guard recruiters at six storefront locations to relocate to the nearest armory.
Scott called Saturday for a review of security at Guard recruitment centers, possibly installing bullet-proof glass at the storefronts or video surveillance equipment.
Scott's order also calls on National Guard officers to ensure that full-time members of the guard are armed.
Weapons will be given to members of the guard who do not currently have them, he said.
U.S. military officials said security at recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed in the wake of the Chattanooga rampage, but the Army's top officer said it's too early to say whether the facilities should have security guards or other increased protection
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