"This is unacceptable:" After shootings in TN, Sen. Baldwin introduces Military Facilities Force Protection Act

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday, July 22nd introduced the Military Facilities Force Protection Act to better protect our men and women in uniform from the types of attacks that occurred at a military recruiting office and a Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee last week. The introduction of this bill comes one day after Governor Scott Walker issued an executive order allowing Wisconsin National Guard members to carry weapons while on duty.

“Recruiting centers and reserve facilities do not have the types of force protection measures—like armed military police and secure locations—that major military bases do. This is unacceptable and needs to change immediately,” said Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “We need to make certain that the brave men and women of our all-volunteer force who work in their communities are adequately protected here at home. This legislation will put in place qualified, armed force protection to strengthen the safety and security at our military facilities.”

According to Baldwin's office, the Military Facilities Force Protection Act would require:

Last week, a gunman opened fire at a Naval Reserve support center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing 5 servicemembers including Marine Sergeant Carson Holmquist. Sergeant Holmquist was a native of Grantsburg, Wisconsin and served two tours of duty in Afghanistan.