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WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter has asked for a report by the end of next week examining whether additional steps can be taken to ensure people are safe at military installations.
The deadly shooting that killed four Marines and injured three others in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is prompting relatives of the victims and many others to wonder why troops at recruiting and reserve offices aren't allowed to have guns.
The ban is largely due to legal issues, including a law dating back to 1878 that prohibits the federal government from using the military for domestic law enforcement.
Republican presidential candidates Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Donald Trump have all called for an end to the ban.
But the Army's chief of staff says the military has to be careful about over-arming itself. Gen. Ray Odierno says that can lead to "accidental discharges and everything else that goes along with" having loaded weapons. He adds that the military is "always going to be somewhat vulnerable" to a surprise shooter.
The comments came as Navy officials confirmed a separate incident outside Atlanta, where a recruiter accidently shot himself in the leg with his personal .45-caliber pistol while discussing the Tennessee shootings with one of his recruits.
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240-w-36-(Julie Walker, AP correspondent, with Orestes Benitez, former Marine and Behistym (BAY'-steem) Cabrera, military recruit)--In the aftermath of the shooting that killed four Marines and injured three other people in Chattanooga, many are asking why those who staff the military recruiting centers, are not armed. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. (17 Jul 2015)
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241-a-05-(Behistym (BAY'-steem) Cabrera, military recruit, in AP interview)-"to defend themself"-Military recruit Behistym Cabrera, who was visiting the Times Square recruiting center, says the staff should be armed. ((cut used in wrap)) Updated: 07/17/2015-07:33:00 PM ET (17 Jul 2015)
<<CUT *241 (07/17/15)££ 00:05 "to defend themself"
242-a-06-(Orestes (ohr-EES'-tehz) Benitez, former Marine, in AP interview)-"as military police"-Former Marine Orestes Benitez, who stopped by the Times Square military recruiting center to show his support, says he agrees that guns cause more problems then they would solve in this type of situation. ((cut used in wrap)) (17 Jul 2015)
<<CUT *242 (07/17/15)££ 00:06 "as military police"
243-a-13-(Enrique Espinetti, former military member, in AP interview)-"personnel having guns"-Enrique Espinetti, who was in the military and often passes by the Times Square recruiting station, says while he hates to put more guns in more hands, this is a risky time. (17 Jul 2015)
<<CUT *243 (07/17/15)££ 00:13 "personnel having guns"
APPHOTO NYBM105: Officers with the NYPD anti-terrorism unit guard a military recruiting station in Times Square, Friday, July 17, 2015, in New York. Security at military recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (17 Jul 2015)
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APPHOTO NYBM104: Officers with the NYPD anti-terrorism unit guard a military recruiting station in Times Square, Friday, July 17, 2015, in New York. Security at military recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Tennessee. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (17 Jul 2015)
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APPHOTO VAWIN101: A man holding a rifle stands in front of the armed forces recruiting center in Winchester, Va., Friday, July 17, 2015. The man stated that he was there "to protect the troops." Security at military recruiting and reserve centers will be reviewed in the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Tennessee. (Scott Mason/The Winchester Star via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (17 Jul 2015)
<<APPHOTO VAWIN101 (07/17/15)££
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