Gov. Greg Abbott says he has authorized the adjutant general of the Texas National Guard to arm Guardsmen at military facilities across Texas.
Abbott joins governors in Florida and Louisiana in the call to arm Guardsmen after a gunman attacked a recruiting center and a Marine-Navy reserve facility in Chattanooga last week. Four Marines and a sailor were killed before the gunman was shot dead by police.
“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” Abbott said in a statement. “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.”