Ohio National Guard considering security measure

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PIQUA —Recruiters for the Ohio National Guard may get the opportunity to carry firearms, particularly those in “storefront” office locations.

According to a press release from his office, the Adjutant General of Ohio, Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman, is revising policies and training provisions for personnel at Ohio National Guard recruitment offices. Bartman is reviewing all security standards at these facilities and authorizing these personnel to carry a firearm, according to the press release.

This move comes from the instruction of Gov. John Kasich.

“The governor has made it very clear that we must take action to protect our members who are actively engaged in public recruitment efforts,” Bartman said in a press release. “We are updating our policies and strengthening small-firearm training so that those men and women staffing our recruitment offices may protect themselves in the event of a threat.”

Ohio temporarily closed four of its Ohio National Guard “storefront” recruitment offices in Painesville, Findlay, Columbus, and Dayton earlier this week in response to the shootings in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The staff at those facilities were moved to nearby armories.

The Piqua branch of the Ohio National Guard is located in an armory, which presents a less vulnerable target.

“We’re a secure facility here,” Sgt. 1st Class Robert Shattuck said. “We’re not in a storefront.”

For recruiting offices operating out of a storefront or at a location with another organization like the YMCA, there is more access for outsiders. In Shattuck’s opinion, personnel there may need more of an opportunity to protect themselves.

“Those places, they might need a little more security,” Shattuck said. Shattuck explained that the Ohio Adjutant General Department is “reviewing everything to come up with a solution.”

At the Piqua Ohio National Guard Armory, individuals must first ring a doorbell to gain entrance. Before entering, guardsmen are able to assess if the visitors are a threat.

In Shelby County, Sheriff John Lenhart issued press release about how the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will be issuing emergency concealed carry licenses to military recruiters for their safety.

Mike Ullery | Daily Call The National Guard Armory on East Ash Street in Piqua is home to Bravo Battery, 1/137 Field Artillery and the 1487th Transportation Company, as well as being an Ohio National Guard Recruiting Office.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/07/web1_072315mju_ong_piquaarmory.jpgMike Ullery | Daily Call The National Guard Armory on East Ash Street in Piqua is home to Bravo Battery, 1/137 Field Artillery and the 1487th Transportation Company, as well as being an Ohio National Guard Recruiting Office.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/07/web1_CMYK-Ohio-National-Guard-logo.jpg

By Sam Wildow

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Reach Sam Wildow at (937) 451-3336 or on Twitter @TheDailyCall

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