Tenn. allows firearms at state armories, facilities
[gtxvideo vid=”CiLpX5L1″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/CiLpX5L1.jpg” vtitle=”Gun Carry Policy PKG”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Tennessee announced military personnel are allowed to carry handguns at state armories and facilities just three weeks after the tragic Chattanooga shooting. Military personnel are allowed to carry firearms if they have a state-issued concealed gun carry permit. Maj. Gen. Max Haston made the decision to follow Gov. Bill Haslam’s directive issued earlier this month. “Military personnel are targeted, and so what we started looking at was the ability to arm our members of the Tennessee National Guard,” Haston said. “It seems like it’s a huge decision, but it’s just one tool in the security toolbox.” Many local residents in Jackson we spoke with said they believe this is a good thing for our military. However, some feel this is not the best way to protect our soldiers. One local veteran, Paul Holliday, who served in the Army National Guard, said he thinks this will help protect our military. “I think if they know a service person is armed, I don’t think they want to come up in there and try them,” Holliday said. However, some people believe this will encourage more violence. “You got the same amount of security, just gun privilege, so I just don’t see it making a difference,” Chester County resident Courtney Crawley said. Jackson resident Terry Chearis said he thinks post-traumatic stress disorder could play a negative factor in allowing military personnel to carry handguns. “If you’re at a work society and your mind clicked back to that point of time, you might friendly fire on a regular civilian,” Chearis said. Andrew Donnell of Jackson said he feels safer knowing they can not only protect themselves but also those around them. “I’m not opposed to it at all,” Donnell said. “I just think it will make our town safer.” Storefront military recruitment centers have been shut down since the shooting and according to Haston will stay shut down as they work to install better security at those locations statewide. The new policy is effective immediately for those working at state armories and facilities.
Haston said the state is working on selecting personnel working on federal property here in the state to carry a federally issued firearm for protection.
