Some states begin to arm National Guard members
INDIANAPOLIS -- States across the country are increasing security at military centers in response to last week's shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence authorized National Guard troops in his state to carry weapons on base, reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz. Pence says he sees no alternative after what happened in Chattanooga.
"I will not permit our citizen soldiers to remain unable to defend themselves," said Pence.
Indiana's policy is voluntary, so soldiers will not be forced to be armed.
The Pentagon controls who is allowed to carry firearms on U.S. military installations, like the recruitment center and Marine-Navy facility where Muhammad Abdulazeez opened fire Thursday.
The National Guard, however, also falls under the command of state governors.
"This has been well received by our soldiers and is something that will make our soldiers safer," said Lt. Col. Daniel Gilbert, who oversees military support for the Indiana National Guard.
Six other states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Florida will also allow their guard to be armed.
"I don't want anything like what happened in Tennessee to ever happen here," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
What was a crime scene in Chattanooga is now sacred ground. Since Thursday, thousands of people have visited the recruitment center where the gunman first opened fire, leaving flags, pictures, prayers, and messages of gratitude to the five slain service members, reports CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan.
Melissa Dennis, 19, says her 22-year-old brother is a Marine based in Australia. He enlisted at the center that came under attack and knew one of the victims.
"This could have easily been my family," said Dennis. "My brother, he's coming home in about a month and he wants to see this exactly as it is when he gets here."
"We send our service people into harm's way overseas and that tends to be when we worry about them most, we don't tend to worry so much when they're here at home," said his father, Kip.
The Chattanooga police officer who was injured in the shootings remained hospitalized as of Monday evening.