Marines Don't Want Armed Civilians Protecting Recruiting Offices
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BURLESON (CBSDFW.COM) – The Marines are quietly shutting down a grassroots movement to guard military recruiting centers.
A group of veterans gathered outside offices Thursday in Burleson to keep watch.
They said it's important for someone to be armed after last week's attack in Chattanooga.
"Some of our family was murdered -- it's that simple. I just don't know how else to put it, and we're just not going to let it happen anymore," said Todd Currens, who is a marine and a member of Operation Hero Guard.
The Marine Corps is telling recruiting offices across the country to ask groups such as Operation Hero Guard to go away.
The corps said while it believes the armed citizens have the best intentions, officials are worried their guns may accidentally go off. They're also concerned that armed people may scare off possible recruits.
The corps has asked people to show support in other ways, which are "less impactful."
The Marine Corps released the following statement:
"While we greatly appreciate the support of the American public during this tragedy, we ask that citizens do not stand guard at our recruiting offices. Our continued public trust lies among our trained first responders for the safety of the communities where we live and work."
"We are concerned for the safety of not only our Marines, but the public as a whole, and while most armed citizens have the best intentions at heart, it is not unrealistic to assume a possible incident like a negligent discharge may occur. An example of this concern can be found in a recent news from today."
"Additionally, we are concerned that armed citizens may detract interested individuals from entering our offices, which ultimately negatively effects our recruiting mission. We ask that these concerned citizens show their support in other ways that are less impactful on our mission attainment."
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