NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT) -- Tennessee’s top military commander has recommended about $18 million in security upgrades at the state’s military installations in reaction to last month’s mass shooting in Chattanooga that left five servicemen dead.
Tennessee National Guard Commander Major General Max Haston made the recommendation public Monday during a meeting of the state House Government Committee.
However, Haston went on to say that he isn’t expecting a “windfall” of new funds from the legislature and so intends to make the upgrades as resources allow.
Governor Bill Haslam recently accepted another of Haston’s recommendations and authorized Tennessee guard members holding concealed handgun carry permits to be armed on state military installations.
During testimony, Rep. Johnny Shaw (D) of Bolivar asked the general if he was concerned a disturbed and now armed guard member might also prove to be a threat.
“Sir, that’s absolutely my greatest fear… However, we have weighed the cost and we feel that the balance of justice is more to the other than it is having somebody that is mentally deranged.”
In 2013, a distraught military recruiter shot and wounded three of his fellow guard members at a state armory north of Memphis after being told he was to be relieved of duty.