NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Governor Bill Haslam says temporary security measures have been implemented after a gunman in Chattanooga killed five U.S. troops last week.
The governor said in a news release that the Tennessee National Guard on Monday temporarily moved its soldiers in storefront recruiting locations to local National Guard armories.
He said the move will allow officials to take a closer look the storefront facilities and decide what additional security measures are necessary at those locations.
“We have to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to ensure the security of our guardsmen after what happened in Chattanooga,” Haslam said. “We’re continuing our review to determine the very best long-term security measures, but immediate efforts to reposition soldiers and help them arm themselves are appropriate next steps.”
The gunman in Chattanooga opened fire at a military recruiting office and a Navy-Marine operations center.
Haslam said the Department of Safety and Homeland Security has also streamlined the handgun permit application process for members of the military.
Under state law, active members of the military, including those in the National Guard and Reserve, do not have to take a state handgun training course when applying for a handgun carry permit if they have completed at least four hours of handgun training within the past five years through any branch of the military. Military personnel must present documentation of the handgun training using one of the approved forms issued by the Department of Defense. A list of approved forms may be found at http://tn.gov/safety/article/handgunfaqs.
Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris of Collierville told The Associated Press later Wednesday that legislative committees plan to meet in the next few weeks to assess the state's security status.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
