Tenn. lawmakers propose allowing troops to carry guns on bases

House lawmakers representing Tennessee introduced legislation on Monday to repeal the ban on military personnel carrying guns on bases after the attack last week in Chattanooga.

The bill, authored by Tennessee Reps. Scott DesJarlais (R) and Steve Cohen (D), would require the Pentagon to change its rules to allow members of the military who are authorized to carry firearms and have received training to possess them on bases.

They presented the legislation as a way to mitigate future mass shootings on military property.

{mosads}“We know our military facilities and recruitment centers are targets, and the five victims of last week’s attack in Chattanooga are sad evidence that more must be done to keep them safe,” Cohen said in a statement.

“Our men and women in uniform must have the ability to protect themselves regardless of where they are serving,” DesJarlais added. 

Cohen and Rep. Jim Cooper, one of the few remaining centrist Blue Dogs in Congress, are the only Democrats in the Tennessee congressional delegation. 

Multiple Republican lawmakers have urged repealing the ban since the shootings last Thursday at two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., that killed five people, as well as the suspect. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has offered similar legislation, as has Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

Calls for more gun restrictions, however, have been relatively muted since the shootings in Chattanooga.