Zink Helps Introduce Legislation to Increase Security at Armed Forces Recruitment Centers

Press Release

Today Montana Congressman and retired Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke joined California Rep. and Marine Major Duncan Hunter in introducing the Securing Military Personnel Response Firearm Initiative (SEMPER FI) Act to allow the military to authorize recruiters to be armed while they're at recruitment centers and also allows them to improve security at recruitment centers in lieu of carrying a sidearm. Senator Steve Daines introduced the legislation in the Senate. Military recruiting centers have been under strict firearm restrictions since the Clinton Administration.

Rep. Zinke said, "This week, I am joining Congressman and Marine Major Duncan Hunter and Senator Steve Daines in introducing legislation to enhance security at Armed Forces recruiting centers by allowing our expertly trained military members to defend themselves from attacks. This is not the first time radical Islamic terrorism has reached the homeland. The only thing that makes their loss more difficult, is not taking action to prevent future loss. Congress must send a clear and absolute message that this cowardly attack will not be ignored, and our heroes did not die in vain."

On Thursday, July 16, 2015, five members of the U.S. military were shot and killed by a radical Islamic terrorist while they were serving in Chattanooga, Tennessee. U.S. Marines Sergeant Carson Homquist (Jackson, NC), Gunnery Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient Thomas Sullivan (Springfield, MA), Lance Corporal Skip Wells (Marietta, GA), Staff Sergeant David Wyatt (Morganton, NC/Russellville, AR) and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith (Paulding, OH) were targeted for their patriotism and service to our nation, and unable to defend themselves due to the gun control restrictions on military members.

For the next week Zinke will be flying the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor flag outside his office in Washington, D.C., in place of the Navy SEAL Trident, in respect and remembrance of our four fallen heroes.

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