Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville (29th District), Monday called on Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to take any and all steps necessary to protect all military recruitment offices and National Guard facilities within the Commonwealth. Rep. Bratcher sent Gov. Beshear a letter this morning asking him to issue an executive order, and Rep. Bratcher also announced he will file legislation to address this issue during the upcoming 2016 Session of the General Assembly.
“Every day around the world the men and women of our military put their lives on the line to defend the values of our country, a fact I understand as a veteran of the U.S. Navy,” Rep. Bratcher wrote. “Kentucky has long had a history of its people serving in our armed services and National Guard in times of war and peace. During those times we provide our soldiers with the training and equipment necessary to protect the lives of others as well as themselves.”
Bratcher’s letter asks Gov. Beshear to direct Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, and any and all related agencies “…to take steps to enhance all security measures at our military recruitment offices and National Guard facilities to include allowing our National Guard and reserve personnel to be armed while on duty.”
“Due to the recent turn of events, involving attacks on unarmed service members, this may serve to protect any unprovoked attacks against Kentucky’s national guardsman tasked with the duties of protecting us,” said Brig. Gen. Norman E. Arflack (retired), former deputy adjutant general under governors Paul Patton and Ernie Fletcher.
“I fully support this initiative. Many armories in Kentucky are isolated with only a few personnel. These soldiers should be able to defend themselves and these installations against an unprovoked attack,” said Maj. Gen. Donald Storm (retired), former Adjutant General under Gov. Fletcher. “We have the most well trained National Guard in our Commonwealth’s history, and the public should feel comfortable allowing these men and women to be armed and ready to defend themselves and others against any forms of domestic terrorism.”
Governors in several states, including Indiana, Florida, and Texas, issued executive orders over the weekend to step up security measures at military and National Guard facilities, including moving some recruitment offices to armories until security measures could be taken.