Governor Greg Abbott announced Saturday he will authorize the Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard to arm National Guard personnel at military facilities across Texas.

This order comes following the recent shooting on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee that resulted in the deaths of four United States Marines and one Navy Sailor.

“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” said Governor Abbott. “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.”

 Dreadwinter wrote:

Texas looks like the first state to change things up a bit.

 Dreadwinter wrote:
Texas looks like the first state to change things up a bit.

The night before a gunman killed five US service personnel in Tennessee, he sent a text message linking to a religious verse about "declaring war", a report says.

Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez also spoke out against conflicts in the Middle East, according to the Reuters agency.

Police have said his motives are still being investigated.

Four US Marines were killed in the shooting. A sailor who was seriously injured died in hospital on Saturday.

Logistics specialist Randall Smith had been fighting for his life since the attack.

Abdulazeez was himself later killed in a shootout with police.

Reuters says it has seen a text sent the night before to a friend linking to a passage of Islamic text - Hadith 38 - containing the verse: "Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I will indeed declare war against him."

The friend, who requested anonymity, said he thought nothing of the text at the time, but now wonders if it was a hint at the attack to come.

Full text of Hadith 38
Allah the Almighty has said: "Whosoever acts with enmity towards a friend [wali] of Mine, I will indeed declare war against him. Nothing endears My servant to Me than doing of what I have made obligatory upon him to do. And My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with supererogatory [nawafil] prayers so that I shall love him. When I love him, I shall be his hearing with which he shall hear, his sight with which he shall see, his hands with which he shall hold, and his feet with which he shall walk. And if he asks [something] of Me, I shall surely give it to him, and if he takes refuge in Me, I shall certainly grant him it."

Other friends also told Reuters that Abdulazeez spoke of his anger about conflicts in the Middle East, including Israeli bombing campaigns in Gaza and the civil war in Syria, after returning from a trip to Jordan last year.

"He had always talked about it, but I'd say his level of understanding and awareness really rose after he came back," said one of the friends interviewed.
They said he had purchased three guns online following the visit, and used them for target practice.

"It would be premature to speculate on exactly why the shooter did what he did," FBI agent Ed Reinhold said. "However, we are conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether this person acted alone or was inspired or directed."

Abdulazeez began Thursday's attack with a shooting spree at a recruitment centre in Chattanooga.

He then drove about six miles (10km) to a Navy and Marine reserve centre, where he shot and killed the marines, and wounded Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Smith.

Navy logistics specialist Randall Smith became the latest victim of Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez when he died of his wounds on Saturday

Four marines died at the scene of Thursday's shooting

"A male Navy Petty Officer succumbed to wounds received in the July 16 shooting at the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee" on Saturday at 02:17 local time (06:17 GMT), the US Navy said in a statement.

It did not name the sailor, but family members confirmed it was Randall Smith.

A relative told the US military newspaper Stars and Stripes that Smith was married with three young daughters.

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 Dreadwinter wrote:

Texas looks like the first state to change things up a bit.

Frazz, congrats, your state got it's head out of it's ass first. PA will follow, but the governor is out hunting, and will likely only hear about this when he gets back to his shack.

Governor Greg Abbott announced Saturday he will authorize the Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard to arm National Guard personnel at military facilities across Texas.

This order comes following the recent shooting on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee that resulted in the deaths of four United States Marines and one Navy Sailor.

“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” said Governor Abbott. “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.”

 Crazy_Carnifex wrote:

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 Dreadwinter wrote:

Texas looks like the first state to change things up a bit.

Frazz, congrats, your state got it's head out of it's ass first. PA will follow, but the governor is out hunting, and will likely only hear about this when he gets back to his shack.

Well, we all knew that Texas was just waiting for "Give people more guns" to be the right thing to do.

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:
I thought the 5th guy was Navy?

Every time I've ever encountered marines, he has been.

 Crazy_Carnifex wrote:

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 Dreadwinter wrote:

Texas looks like the first state to change things up a bit.

Frazz, congrats, your state got it's head out of it's ass first. PA will follow, but the governor is out hunting, and will likely only hear about this when he gets back to his shack.

Well, we all knew that Texas was just waiting for "Give people more guns" to be the right thing to do.

 Co'tor Shas wrote:
Wait, national guard don't carry weapons on base? That's weird...

 Ghazkuul wrote:
[
Just remember Baron, Marines are a Department of the Navy....The Mens Department

 MWHistorian wrote:

 Bromsy wrote:

 Jihadin wrote:
1st Sgt carried a SAW instead of his 9mm because he hated that weapon himself

Because SAWs are pure sex. Unless you try to use the magazine well, then SAWs are pure suck.

As a former SAW gunner, I can attest to that. It's better to switch to your side arm (if you have one) than to use mags in the SAW.
But Military personnel should be allowed to be armed at all times.

Edit: And civilians too!

 Ghazkuul wrote:

 BaronIveagh wrote:

 Ghazkuul wrote:
I thought the 5th guy was Navy?

Every time I've ever encountered marines, he has been.

Just remember Baron, Marines are a Department of the Navy....The Mens Department

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.


One of the steps Carter approved was Marine Corps Recruiting Command's decision to have recruiters not wear their military uniforms for now, a defense official said. The recruiting command also closed down all offices within 40 miles of the facilities in Chattanooga and increased the force protection condition level from "Bravo" to "Charlie."

The new policy, discussed in MARADMIN 365/15, not only prohibits all Marines, including recruiters, from wearing their uniforms off-base, but also instructs them to cover their heads with a large bag which prevents personal identification. All commands are initially instructed to disseminate money valuable bags, sandbags (preferably empty), or paper bags to all personnel to ensure immediate compliance.

Col. Elizabeth Thompson, a spokesperson for Headquarters Marine Corps, said the move is necessary to ensure that Marines remain safe and vigilant, whether they are being shot at on the battlefield or just shot at in their own office.

“While we know many active-duty Marines were hoping for relaxed policies on open- and concealed-carry, we really feel that the ‘bag-over-the-head’ is more practical given the limitations of our budgets and operating forces.”

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.

Ouze wrote:

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.

You want to argue about the drawbacks of having substantially more personnel with sidearms around, so far as ND's and such, fine. It's not a great argument but at least I can see the argument even if if I wouldn't make it.

This, on the other hand.... utterly shameful. Maybe instead of the uniform you can give them white flags to wave or something. The idea you've have to essentially hide the uniform of our armed forces, in the US, out of fear.... there aren't even words really.

 CptJake wrote:
And right on cue:

The new policy, discussed in MARADMIN 365/15, not only prohibits all Marines, including recruiters, from wearing their uniforms off-base, but also instructs them to cover their heads with a large bag which prevents personal identification. All commands are initially instructed to disseminate money valuable bags, sandbags (preferably empty), or paper bags to all personnel to ensure immediate compliance.

Col. Elizabeth Thompson, a spokesperson for Headquarters Marine Corps, said the move is necessary to ensure that Marines remain safe and vigilant, whether they are being shot at on the battlefield or just shot at in their own office.

“While we know many active-duty Marines were hoping for relaxed policies on open- and concealed-carry, we really feel that the ‘bag-over-the-head’ is more practical given the limitations of our budgets and operating forces.”

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/07/marine-force-protection/

 d-usa wrote:

Ouze wrote:

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.

You want to argue about the drawbacks of having substantially more personnel with sidearms around, so far as ND's and such, fine. It's not a great argument but at least I can see the argument even if if I wouldn't make it.

This, on the other hand.... utterly shameful. Maybe instead of the uniform you can give them white flags to wave or something. The idea you've have to essentially hide the uniform of our armed forces, in the US, out of fear.... there aren't even words really.

I was under the impression that the whole "not wearing your uniform in public" thing was already a rule anyway. Not denying that it feels like blaming the victim a bit there, but just curious.

 d-usa wrote:

I was under the impression that the whole "not wearing your uniform in public" thing was already a rule anyway. Not denying that it feels like blaming the victim a bit there, but just curious.

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.


One of the steps Carter approved was Marine Corps Recruiting Command's decision to have recruiters not wear their military uniforms for now, a defense official said. The recruiting command also closed down all offices within 40 miles of the facilities in Chattanooga and increased the force protection condition level from "Bravo" to "Charlie."

I bet the marines in civvies are darned proud of this decision.

 d-usa wrote:

Ouze wrote:

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.

You want to argue about the drawbacks of having substantially more personnel with sidearms around, so far as ND's and such, fine. It's not a great argument but at least I can see the argument even if if I wouldn't make it.

This, on the other hand.... utterly shameful. Maybe instead of the uniform you can give them white flags to wave or something. The idea you've have to essentially hide the uniform of our armed forces, in the US, out of fear.... there aren't even words really.

I was under the impression that the whole "not wearing your uniform in public" thing was already a rule anyway. Not denying that it feels like blaming the victim a bit there, but just curious.

 CptJake wrote:

 d-usa wrote:

Ouze wrote:

 CptJake wrote:
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/07/18/marine-recruiters-told-not--wear-uniforms-offices-closed/30353587/

The military services have taken swift action to increase security after Thursday's shootings in Tennessee, even closing some facilities and telling Marine recruiters not to wear uniforms in public.

You want to argue about the drawbacks of having substantially more personnel with sidearms around, so far as ND's and such, fine. It's not a great argument but at least I can see the argument even if if I wouldn't make it.

This, on the other hand.... utterly shameful. Maybe instead of the uniform you can give them white flags to wave or something. The idea you've have to essentially hide the uniform of our armed forces, in the US, out of fear.... there aren't even words really.

I was under the impression that the whole "not wearing your uniform in public" thing was already a rule anyway. Not denying that it feels like blaming the victim a bit there, but just curious.

These are recruiters. They wear their uniform while on duty out in public daily. They go to school, malls, community events, local gyms, where ever they need to go to contact likely recruits/keep contact with kids they are actively recruiting. They do this in uniform, as that IS their duty. Or at least they DID until now.

 Grey Templar wrote:
I believe it is indeed a rule not to wear your uniform while not on duty.

Of course I think the rule is either poorly enforced or the definition of "on duty" is quite flexible and extends to lunch breaks at In-n-out.