Governor Abbott To Order National Guard To Carry Guns On Base

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott wants guns in the hands of military personnel at military facilities statewide. He announced Saturday that he will authorize the Texas National Guard to arm servicemen and women on Texas bases.

Currently, installations affiliated with the National Guard prohibit weapons from being brought to locations. The Governor plans to change that.

"Arming the National Guard at the bases will not only serve as a deterrent to anyone wishing to do harm to our servicemen and women, but will enable them to protect those living and working on the bases," the Governor said in a released statement.

The weapon authorization comes after the shooting deaths of four Marines and a Navy Sailor in Chattanooga Tennessee.

In Grand Prairie, the former Naval Air Base Dallas is now the Armed Forces Reserve Complex, that includes The Texas National Guard Heliport.

On the guard side of the facility, an armed private security guard oversees the entrance. At the Reservists entrance, signs issue notice that weapons are prohibited.

The Governor said military personnel must have the ability to defend themselves.

Guns on bases, carried by those affiliated with the Texas National Guard, will soon become a standard, not the exception.