NRA Lobbyist Calls for Repeal of 'Outrageous' Military Gun Policy

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http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/National-Rifle-Association-Chattanooga-NRA-Rand-Paul/2015/07/21/id/658197/

 

 

NRA Lobbyist Calls for Repeal of 'Outrageous' Military Gun Policy

 

 

Its "outrageous," according to Chris Cox, chief lobbyist for National Rifle Association, that U.S policy prevented the five U.S. service members fatally wounded in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last week the opportunity to defend themselves from a reportedly radicalized Muslim, The Hill reports.

 

Members of the military should be "allowed to defend themselves on U.S. soil," according to Cox, who on behalf of the NRA is calling for the White House to do away with a directive signed by President George H.W. Bush prohibiting most soldiers from carrying guns on military installations.

Cox, according to CNN, wants Congress to "pursue a legislative fix to ensure that our servicemen and women are allowed to defend themselves on U.S. soil."

 

The issue has moved to the fore of the political debate since 24-year-old Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire in a strip mall recruiting office before heading to a Navy and Marine center, where he killed four Marines and a sailor before police shot and killed Abdulazeez.

 

Tennessee Reps. Scott DesJarlais, a Republican, and Steve Cohen, a Democrat, have proposed legislation to repeal the military gun ban, according got The Hill.

 

They, along with a host of other elected officials, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, argue that arming service members on base would provide soldiers with an extra layer of protection.

 

"After Major [Nidal] Hasan did the shooting at Fort Hood, we did legislation on arming military on bases," Paul told reporters at his Washington, D.C., campaign office, according to The Washington Post. "This was a recruiting station, right? Well, I would include recruiting stations.

 

"One of the weird things is that we have 15-20 states where you can open carry. So everybody can carry, except for the military? I think thats crazy. The rules that apply to everybody should at least apply to the military."