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INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Mike Pence and Adjutant General, Major General Courtney Carr, recently held a press conference to discuss the Governor’s decision to authorize the arming of the Indiana National Guard at state facilities and recruiting offices in Indiana. The Executive Order 15-07 was signed into effect immediately. 

“I have to say as governor, and as the father of a United States Marine, that our hearts and our prayers go out to the families of the four U.S. Marines and the Navy sailor who lost their lives in the potential domestic terrorist attack on military installations in Tennessee last week,” stated Pence.

“It is important to note, Indiana is home to the fourth largest National Guard contingent in America. And our National Guard is a source of great pride to all the people of Indiana. More than 11,500 Army National Guard, more than 1,800 Air National Guard and more than a thousand civilian personnel who assist them in facilities across this state are always in the hearts of people in Indiana and it’s about them that we have taken the action that we have taken,” explained Pence. “As Commander-in-Chief, quite simply, I will not permit our citizen soldiers to remain unable to defend themselves and our citizens in facilities around the state.”

Pence explains that the signing of the executive order will increase security measures at all Indiana National Guard facilities, including recruiting storefronts across the state.

“When implemented, this policy will allow soldiers and airmen to carry their personal handguns in accordance with Indiana law in any of the Indiana National Guard’s 62 Armories, two Air Wings, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, 11 Army recruiting storefronts and one Air recruiting storefront. General Carr will provide some details about the implementation of this policy, which will take effect immediately, but obviously for the safety and security of our personnel, the timing and scope of implementation will not be shared publicly,” noted Pence.

To view other videos from Pence’s speech, click here.