Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ordered a review of base security procedures Friday afternoon, just one day after four Marines were killed by a gunman in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Secretary Carter approved immediate steps taken by the armed services to enhance force protection in the wake of the shooting,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. “He has also directed the services to examine additional steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of service members and civilians at military installations.”
Mr. Carter asked for recommendations on what increased security should be implemented no later than July 24.
A gunman fired a barrage of shots at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Thursday, killing four Marines and injuring three others – a sailor, a Marine and a local police officer. Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, the suspected shooter, first fired 25 to 30 shots at a recruiting office before being chased about 7 miles to a Navy reserve center, where he was eventually shot and killed by police.
Some lawmakers on Capitol Hill said the attack proved that troops should be allowed to carry personal weapons for defense on military installations and said they planned to introduce legislation to allow troops to carry firearms. Sen. John McCain and Rep. Mac Thornberry said they intended to include language on the issue in this year’s defense policy bill, due to be finalized in the coming weeks.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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