Posted on Aug 10, 2015
If you were a Recruiter would this make you feel safer?
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Armed militia protecting recruiting station in strip mall
Armed militia members are standing outside some armed forces recruiting offices here in Iowa following the shooting last week in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
One location is at the strip mall in the 5900 block of East 14th Street in Des Moines. That's where KCCI found Iowa Militia member Kim Paulsen on Tuesday. The private group is composed of mainly former military members.
"I feel I need to be here, doing this," said Paulsen. (photo and FOIA attached)
He wants to be as visible as possible as he watches over the recruiting center.
The attacks in Tennessee on two recruiting centers left five service members dead.
Paulsen wants his presence to prevent such an attack here or to have the firepower to shoot back in the worst case scenario.
"To have someone throw lead at you and you not be able to throw it back just seems victim, reads victim," said Paulsen.
The Army veteran said it makes no sense to have military personnel manning the recruiting center unarmed.
"These guys should be able to be comfortable and not have to worry about what's behind the next car and that is why I am here. Until the governor or the president changes some regulations and these guys can have a weapon," said Paulsen.
Gov. Terry Branstad will be in Washington, D.C., Thursday for a meeting of the Council of Governors. The group advises federal officials on matters related to national security and the National Guard.
The Governor's Communications Director Jimmy Centers told KCCI that Branstad will seek support to review policies on National Guard bases, military installations and recruitment centers to ensure our nation's soldiers are safe.
"We need to have a discussion to make sure these brave men and women are protected. The governor is certainly not interested in ruling anything out," said Centers.
Paulsen said another recruiting center in Metro Des Moines is being watched by the Iowa Militia, but the person or persons watching it are not out in the open like he is.
Armed militia members are standing outside some armed forces recruiting offices here in Iowa following the shooting last week in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
One location is at the strip mall in the 5900 block of East 14th Street in Des Moines. That's where KCCI found Iowa Militia member Kim Paulsen on Tuesday. The private group is composed of mainly former military members.
"I feel I need to be here, doing this," said Paulsen. (photo and FOIA attached)
He wants to be as visible as possible as he watches over the recruiting center.
The attacks in Tennessee on two recruiting centers left five service members dead.
Paulsen wants his presence to prevent such an attack here or to have the firepower to shoot back in the worst case scenario.
"To have someone throw lead at you and you not be able to throw it back just seems victim, reads victim," said Paulsen.
The Army veteran said it makes no sense to have military personnel manning the recruiting center unarmed.
"These guys should be able to be comfortable and not have to worry about what's behind the next car and that is why I am here. Until the governor or the president changes some regulations and these guys can have a weapon," said Paulsen.
Gov. Terry Branstad will be in Washington, D.C., Thursday for a meeting of the Council of Governors. The group advises federal officials on matters related to national security and the National Guard.
The Governor's Communications Director Jimmy Centers told KCCI that Branstad will seek support to review policies on National Guard bases, military installations and recruitment centers to ensure our nation's soldiers are safe.
"We need to have a discussion to make sure these brave men and women are protected. The governor is certainly not interested in ruling anything out," said Centers.
Paulsen said another recruiting center in Metro Des Moines is being watched by the Iowa Militia, but the person or persons watching it are not out in the open like he is.
Weapons
Civilians
Stolen Valor
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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My first question would be "Are they qulified to be carrying a weapon?" To answer the question, NO!
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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.
Sgt Richard Buckner His NPRC FOIA says "who"? Why do you say he's a "Staff NCO"?
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SCPO David Lockwood
Sgt I didn't say they are not qualified to carry a weapon I asked if they were qualified. How well trained are the State Militia? Do they get the same training that the regular soldier gets? DO you believe they are trained equally to the regular soldier? I would say not.
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I'm thinking the bad guys will engage them first causing just enough delay for me to E&E out of harms way. Either way it goes I appreciate the effort.
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