MORRISTOWN (WATE) – A group calling itself “Tennessee III Percent” is one of many taking a stand to protect military recruitment centers after the shootings in Chattanooga. However, WATE 6 On Your Side learned that some in the organization don’t have handgun carry permits.
Two members of the militia group were standing Friday outside a Morristown military recruitment center near College Square Mall. Henry Doll was armed with a 9mm pistol and Bobby Hickson had a sniper rifle.
Related coverage: Chattanooga shooting
The “Tennessee III Percent” militia name dates back to the Revolutionary War when 3 percent of people stood up against England. They’re now fighting a new battle coming out of the Chattanooga shootings.
Members say they will stand outside of the Morristown recruitment center until servicemen and women are allowed to arm themselves. They want to protect service members, even though both said they don’t have handgun carry permits. Both are working to get them and say most people in the Tennessee III Percent have them.
Web Extra: Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit Laws
“We’re here to protect them so they can protect us,” said Bobby Hickson, a member of the group.
Doll and Hickson said they got permission from the property owner, Principle Investment, to stand guard over the recruitment center as long as they stayed on a patch of grass considered private property. Manager Regina Gibson confirmed that information and said she was glad they were there.
When asked if it was legal for the two men to be there without carry permits, Morristown police said they knew “members with carry permits would be there” and that so far no complaints had been filed.
Doll says he’s willing to do what it takes to guard the recruitment center.
“I will fire it in defense of my family, my freedom, my flag, and my servicemen,” said Doll, the organizer of the local chapter of the militia.
The group and the property manager said that the Tennessee III Percent militia would assume all responsibility if something were to happen like another shooting. Even though where they’re set up is private property, Morristown police said they do have the jurisdiction to investigative property if there’s a complaint within the city limits.
Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnigan said he appreciates what the group is doing, but doesn’t think it’s their responsibility to stand guard. He believes all service members should be armed in military facilities.
Pentagon officials issued a statement Friday saying they are asking individuals to not stand guard at recruitment centers:
We take the safety of our service members, our DoD civilians, and the families who support them very seriously, and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is currently reviewing recommendations from the services for making our installations and facilities safer – including our recruiting stations. While we greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for our recruiters from the American public, we ask that individuals not stand guard at recruiting offices as it could adversely impact our mission, and potentially create unintended security risks. We continue to partner with and rely on first responders for the safety of the communities where our service members live and work.
