Military Spokespeople Available To Discuss Opposition To Proposed Amendment To Force U.S. Military Bases To Allow Open Carry Of Firearms

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A dangerous amendment submitted this week by Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX) to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4435) would overturn a 1992 Department of Defense (DoD) policy and force the DoD and every military installation in the country to allow military personnel to openly carry loaded firearms on base. This amendment is scheduled to be voted on tomorrow. Top military officials, including the Pentagon, the Army Chief of Staff and Fort Hood's commanding officer, oppose forcing military installations to allow soldiers to carry loaded guns on base.

Congressman Gohmert's amendment ignores the recommendations in a 2013 DoD report, published after the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. Not only was arming soldiers not among the report's fourteen recommendations for improving security on military installments, but the DoD report recommended that military bases put up signage reminding soldiers that firearms are prohibited.

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Spokespeople include:

Brigadier General (Ret) Stephen N. Xenakis, MD, USA – Dr. Xenakis served 28 years in the United States Army as a medical corps officer. He retired in 1998, at the rank of Brigadier General. He held a wide of variety of assignments as a clinical psychiatrist, staff officer, and senior commander including Commanding General of the Southeast Army Regional Medical Command. Dr. Xenakis served as the Senior Adviser for psychological health and traumatic brain injury to the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Michael G. Mullen.

About Everytown for Gun Safety

Everytown for Gun Safety is a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense policies that will reduce gun violence and save lives.  Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 1.5 million supporters including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for reforms that respect the Second Amendment and protect people.  At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns, founded in 2006 by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded on the day after Newtown.  Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown

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