Additionally, S.C. Adjutant General Robert E. Livingston Jr. has changed S.C. National Guard policy to allow personnel to carry a weapon while in uniform under certain circumstances.
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Gov. Rick Scott noted in the release that the recruitment centers have upgraded security, including the arming of guard members.
Other states have armed their guard members at facilities in the wake of the shootings at an Army recruiting center and Navy and Marine Reserve center in Chattanooga, Tenn. Four Marines were killed, and a sailor wounded in the attack died, as well.
Aside from the two store-front recruitment centers in Hillsborough County – at 757 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon and 10660 N. 56th St., Temple Terrace – centers in Jacksonville, Miami, Orange Park and Orlando are also being reopened.
Alvin Starks, an Augusta resident, said protection for our service members shouldn’t even be a question. “I hope President Obama is taking notice of what we are doing, and that he takes similar actions to ensure every branch of our military is protected”, said Scott.
Scott initially ordered the Guardsmen to be armed last month, as did governors in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indiana.
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Governor Nikki Haley issued an executive order Monday to heighten security at South Carolina National Guard facilities.
