Ortt’s Bill to Better Protect Military and ROTC Members Passes in Senate

ALBANY –With overwhelming support, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today announced the New York State Senate has passed his legislation to better protect members of the National Guard and ROTC from active shooter situations or domestic acts of terrorism. Senator Ortt’s bill (S6021C) would establish policies to improve the security and protection of National Guard recruiting centers and ROTC units across the state.  

Senator Ortt first introduced this legislation in July, one week after a gunman shot and killed five service members at a military recruitment station and naval training center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  

“To prevent future tragedies like the one in Chattanooga and countless others across our nation, we need to better protect our service men and women,” said Senator Ortt. “And, the best way to do that is to improve security systems at the centers and allow our service members to defend themselves. The sad reality is that we live in a world where our unarmed soldiers are targets on domestic soil and need stronger defense policies in place to safeguard them as they protect us.”     

Currently, military recruitment center employees are unarmed. Ortt’s bill would change that, directing the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) to make necessary changes to National Guard recruiting centers and ROTC units. Changes include providing a sidearm, or permit to carry a concealed firearm, to full-time National Guard and ROTC personnel, installing metal detectors and bulletproof glass at the buildings, and relocating recruiting or training centers to armories or other secure locations. 

The bill is being sent to the Assembly.