Letter to the Hon. Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense - Request for DOD Update on Implementation of Military Force Protection Law

Letter

Dear Secretary Carter,

We are writing to request an update on the Department of Defense's (DOD) implementation of Section 526 of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act. This law directs the Secretary of Defense, no later than December 31, 2015, to establish and implement a process by which the commanders of military installations, reserve centers, recruiting centers, and other defense facilities may authorize an assigned active duty service member to carry an appropriate firearm as a personal or force-protection measure.

Congress and the President have no higher duty than to ensure our service members have the tools, training, and resources needed to be successful wherever they are serving in the world. Our men and woman in uniform should have the ability to defend themselves, and their families deserve the peace of mind that all reasonable steps are being taken to ensure that their loved one comes home at the end of the day.

We know you share our conviction that our service men and women, and their families, make tremendous sacrifices in defense of our freedom. Let us all make their safety, particularly in the homeland, a priority. For that reason, we request that you provide us with an update on how DOD has begun implementing this law.

We appreciate and thank you for your leadership and strong advocacy for those who defend and keep our nation free.

Sincerely,

Scott Rigell (VA-02)
Bob Goodlatte (VA-06)
Sam Johnson (TX-03)
David Rouzer (NC-07)
Brian Babin (TX-36)
Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
David Jolly (FL-13)
Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)
Barbara Comstock (VA-10)
Ken Buck (CO-04)
Lou Barletta (PA-11)
Tom Graves (GA-14)
Tom McClintock (CA-04)
Randy Weber (TX-14)
Jeb Hensarling (TX-05)
Tom Marino (PA-10)
Lee Zeldin (NY-01)
Richard Hudson (NC-08)
Tim Huelskamp (KS-01)