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Kentucky National Guard Can Be Armed at Facilities

The governors of Indiana, Tennessee, and other states have recently issued executive orders allowing National Guard members to carry guns at places such as armories, recruiting centers, and training sites.

According to Kentucky National Guard Spokesman David Altom, the commonwealth has been proactive in protecting soldiers and airmen. He told WKU Public Radio that since 2013, state law has allowed members to carry guns as long as they have a concealed-carry permit.

"We issued a memorandum authorzing concealed carry of weapons on state facilities," Altom explained.  "The purpose of that is to give soldiers the option of responding in case of something like what happened in Chattanooga."

Following the shooting deaths of five servicemen in Tennessee last week, State Representative Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville, is urging Governor Beshear to issue an executive order allowing all National Guard members to be armed now instead of having to wait to obtain a permit. 

Beshear has said the order is unnecessary, adding that guardsmen are also able to carry weapons in state facilities and recruiting stations with approval from their commanding officer.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.