A state lawmaker is asking Governor Steve Beshear to issue an executive order allowing Kentucky National Guard members to be armed while on duty.
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.
Kentucky State Representative Kevin Bratcher made the request in a letter this week to Beshear, but National Guard spokesman David Altom says state law already allows soldiers and airmen to carry guns as long as they comply with state concealed-carry permit laws.
“We not only allow but we encourage it in many cases," said Altom. "Especially in the wake of the incidents such as what happen in Chattanooga last Thursday.”
Altom says the commonwealth has been proactive in protecting soldiers and airmen. He says since 2013, state law has allowed members to carry guns as long as they have a concealed-carry permit.
“We issued a memorandum authorizing concealed carry of weapons on state facilities," said Altom. "The purpose of that of course is to give the soldiers the option of responding to something like what happened in Chattanooga.”
National Guard members can be armed at recruitment centers, armories, and training sites as long as they have the permit.
Representative Bratcher wants the governor to issue an order allowing all National Guard members to be armed now instead of having to wait weeks or months to obtain a permit.
