Gov. Greg Abbott on July 18 authorized Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard to arm personnel at military facilities across Texas.
Abbott’s action comes following the July 16 shooting on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor. A suspect was killed at the scene. An investigation is in progress.
“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” Abbott said. “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.”
Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard and Texas State Guard, referred to collectively as the Texas National Guard, are administered by the adjutant general.
Senator urges recapture
State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, on July 13 posted a statement regarding the recent escape and disappearance of drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman from a federal prison in Mexico.
“As a senator who represents over a third of the Texas-Mexico border, I’d like to propose that if Mexico needs help keeping him behind bars once he is found, I know just the place: Texas,” Uresti said. “I find it incomprehensible that he was able to escape from a maximum-security prison. I urge Mexico to pursue and hold responsible those who aided in the escape and move swiftly to bring El Chapo back into custody.
Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the organization.
