DES MOINES (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad asked the Iowa National Guard on Monday to review security at its facilities after last week’s shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Iowa National Guard Maj. Gen Timothy Orr is to assess the protection for those working at the Guard’s military facilities and recruitment sites, but there is no deadline to report back to Branstad. The governor’s spokesman, Jimmy Centers, said the governor would wait to hear from Orr before making any decisions.
The Republican governor also plans to ask the federal government to review the protections at all military facilities during this week’s meeting in Washington of the Council of Governors, who advise federal officials on security matters.
Last Thursday, Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire at a military recruiting office and a Navy-Marine operations center in Chattanooga, killing four Marines. A sailor wounded in the attack died Saturday. The shootings have raised questions about why military personnel at recruiting and reserve offices aren’t allowed to have guns. Military officials have said security at recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed.
State National Guard Col. Greg Hapfood said there is security in place at the more than 50 armories across the state, with armed guards at some locations.
He said the National Guard recruiting offices are nearly all in armories, so they have more security than other types of recruiting offices.
Hapgood said the Guard will review the current security and work with the governor.