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Oklahoma gov orders arms for state military personnel

by Jesse Byrnes - 07/17/15 7:25 PM ET

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) issued an executive order late Friday authorizing certain full-time military personnel in her state to be armed following a deadly shooting the previous day in Tennessee.

“Four unarmed Marines were killed in what appears to be a domestic terrorist attack,” Fallin said in a statement accompanying her executive order.

“It is painful enough when we lose members of our armed forces when they are sent in harm’s way, but it is unfathomable that they should be vulnerable for attack in our own communities,” she said.

{mosads}Fallin’s order applies to those on military installations in Oklahoma, including recruiting offices like the one where a gunman opened fire in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Thursday, before killing four Marines.

Her order allows for weaponry deemed by Adjutant General for Oklahoma Maj. Gen. Robbie L. Asher “necessary to adequately provide for the security of the facilities and their occupants.”

The order apparently applies only to the Oklahoma National Guard. Other military locations are governed by Pentagon policy, which has been faced with scrutiny recently.

A growing number of lawmakers have called for troops serving at domestic military facilities to be allowed to be armed, while at least one piece of legislation is in the works following the shooting.

Fallin also ordered American and Oklahoma flags to be kept at half-staff over the weekend in the state in honor of the four that died in what authorities have labeled as terrorism.

“Unfortunately, this kind of target, violent attack against our military personnel is becoming increasingly common; there have been at least eight major assaults on military sites since 2009,” Fallin said.

“We must take every action to ensure that our servicemen and women are appropriately protected from potential assailants,” she added.

Tags Mary Fallin