A pair of bills aimed at ramping up security measures at military recruiting centers in New York would allow military recruiters and Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) to carry firearms.
Senate Majority Task Force on Counterterrorism and Public Protection member State Senator Robert Ortt (R-C-I, North Tonawanda), announced the bills today, asserting they would better protect members of the New York National Guard and ROTC from active shooter situations.
Senator Ortt, a Combat Veteran of the New York Army National Guard, released a statement saying the legislation will bring New York in line with federal policy and help protect service members in the long run by allowing military personnel at National Guard Recruiting Centers carry firearms while on duty. A separate legislation (S2920) would improve the security and protection of recruiting centers and ROTC units in New York.
Senator Ortt's bills (S2921) mimic a federal legislation that took place last year by the Department of Defense after several active-shooter attacks on military bases across the country. Before this directive, U.S. Armed Forces and DOD personnel could not carry personal firearms on military recruitment centers.
That federal policy doesn't apply to a state's National Guard because it is a division of Military and Naval Affairs. Senator Ortt's bills would change that. They would also would put into play heavier defense policies at National Guard recruiting centers and ROTC units to better protect employees, recruits, and visitors. Additionally, security would strengthened by adding metal detectors, bulletproof glass, surveillance video, and barricades.
