Ducey's Executive Order Arms More Arizona National Guard Members
Gov. Doug Ducey has signed an executive order that will arm more Arizona National Guard members.
Ducey joins more than half a dozen other governors who have taken similar steps in the aftermath of last week’s shootings in Chattanooga, Tenn. The order is mostly directed at smaller facilities, many of which do not have designated security forces. Some members of the National Guard stationed at such places will now be equipped with weapons.
"This will ensure that those recruiting station and armories that are outlying and maybe not fully protected with full-time security, they are going to be better off to defend themselves," said Lt. Col. Gabe Johnson, a spokeman for the Arizona National Guard,.
Many of the larger facilities in the state do have defense forces, but the order now authorizes personnel working at those places to carry their own personal weapons.
In his order, Ducey said the order will make sure soldiers and airmen "have at least the same level of self defense as the citizens they’re fighting for.”
