Governor Mike Pence and Indiana Adjutant General Corey Carr say soldiers and airmen will begin carrying personal handguns at National Guard armories and recruiting stations Monday to defend themselves following the fatal shootings of four Marines and a sailor in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Pence said at a news conference Sunday at Stout Field in Indianapolis that the new policy applies to the state’s 62 Guard armories, two air wings, 12 recruiting stations and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Jennings County.
Pence says a review of safety at Guard facilities beginning Friday evening resulted in his issuing an executive order Saturday authorizing the Guard to arm its personnel at its facilities across Indiana.
Carr says soldiers and airmen will carry properly permitted personal weapons and will receive safety training if needed.