ONTARIO, Ohio – Horror, shock and anger were the emotions most deeply felt by citizens Joel LeMaster and Leshia Rivers when they first heard of the July 16 attacks in Chattanooga, Tennessee that left five military service members dead.
The tragedy moved LeMaster and Rivers to protect their local troops by standing guard outside the Armed Forces Recruiting Center in Ontario on Tuesday afternoon.
“We’re going to be here as often as we can until the government lets them protect themselves,” said Rivers. “We’re sending them overseas to protect us, so we can protect them here on American soil.”
On July 16, Mohammad Abdulazeez shot at a military recruiting center in a Chattanooga strip mall, not unlike the military recruiting center located in Ontario. He then drove to a nearby Navy operations support center and launched another attack, killing four Marines and a U.S. Navy sailor, Randall Smith from Ohio.
Abdulazeez died in a gunfight with the Chattanooga Police Department.
In wake of the Chattanooga tragedy, there has been a call across the country to increase security measures for recruiting and military facilities. The Department of Defense’s current policy allows only security and law enforcement to carry loaded guns on military facilities outside of war zones.
“The government doesn’t allow our military personnel to defend themselves. It’s been that way for a long time,” said LeMaster.
LeMaster is a Marine veteran himself, having served on active duty in the late 1980s. He remembers from his time in the service not being allowed to carry weapons on base.
“Back in the 1980s and 1970s this wasn’t a concern, but this is a different world,” said LeMaster. “I have grandkids, my biggest fear is what kind of world are they going to live in? So we’re going to do everything we can to try and shift the country back the way it was.”
LeMaster, Rivers and a third citizen, Scott Adler, were all armed as they stood outside the recruiting center on Tuesday. According to Lt. Rob Griefenstine with the Ontario Police Department, the three citizens are within their legal rights to carry weapons in public.
“In Ohio, open carry is perfectly legal,” said Griefenstine. “They can have a hand gun on their side or even a rifle in their hand so long as they’re not pointing it at people.”
Griefenstine said the Ontario Police Department and the Armed Forces Recruiting Center were both notified in advance that the citizens would be armed and outside. He noted Ontario Police have increased patrols outside of the recruiting center after the Chattanooga shooting, and also provided the center with a door buzzer to alert them of people entering and exiting the building.
“We’ve been watching the facility for quite some time anyway, and stepped up patrols in that area since the incident in Tennessee,” said Griefenstine. “We’re trying to be vigilant down there, and this group wanted to do something as well to assist.”
LeMaster and Rivers said a handful of military personnel have approached them to express their gratitude. Two soldiers approached the group on Tuesday to shake their hands in thanks; one soldier remarked, “If we can’t carry weapons at least someone can.”
“They’re very happy about it, because they’ve been very nervous,” said Rivers.
The U.S. Army Cleveland Recruiting Battalion issued a statement to Richland Source on Tuesday stating that U.S. Army Recruiting Command soldiers are using security and force protection policies to ensure the safety and security of their recruiting centers.
“The Department of Defense and the Army prohibit weapons from being in recruiting centers,” the statement read. “In light of the attack, the Army will increase vigilance and review our security measures, particular at stand-alone sites not connected to a military installation. We are America’s Army and local communities can support our security by reporting suspicious activity, particularly around recruiting centers; if you see something, say something.”
In the meantime, concerned citizens will remain vigilant. Rivers invited anyone interested in supporting local troops to join the group, armed or not.
“We’re here to take care of our own,” added LeMaster. “It’s our country and our people.”
“The government doesn’t allow our military personnel to defend themselves. It’s been that way for a long time,” said Joel LeMaster.
