NH Gun Shop Owner Guards Military Recruiting Station

A Concord gun shop owner is making both a political statement as well as attempting to protect those who choose to serve in the wake of the murder of four Marines in Tennessee.

Brian Blackden of Pepper Defense Supply in Penacook stood outside of the Armed Forces Career Center on Loudon Road on July 20, 2015, standing guard in case of a possible terrorist attack against the capital city’s local recruiting office. He said he was both making a political statement and actually doing what citizens of the United States should be doing – protecting those who protect Americans against enemies that are foreign or domestic. Blackden also called on Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, to allow military personnel in the state to be armed.

“It’s to support the military and to let the governor know that she needs to take action, like at least two other governors have done, and let them have firearms, so they can protect our liberties,” he said.

Blackden added that he believed recruiting stations around the country as well as other “gun-free” zones like military bases and National Guard stations were “soft targets” for potential terrorists like Mohammod Abdulazeez who allegedly killed the Marines last week. He said the military needed to be armed against potential attacks like the one in Tennessee.

“Our governors need to take the lead and actually protect our liberties by letting our military be strong in our country,” he said. “They put the uniform on to protect our liberties … that makes them a target when they put that uniform on just like a police officer puts their uniform on. They should be armed because they make themselves a target and it’s unfair and disgusting that they aren’t protected.”

Blackden noted that a recruiting station in Concord could potential be a target for violence due to regulations requiring that no guns be allowed inside the center. He pointed to a sign on the door restricting anyone, whether military personnel or residents signing up, from being armed, even for their own protection, in an open carry state like New Hampshire. Blackden said the policy was wrong and with the exception of a two people stating their concerns as he was pacing on the sidewalk this morning, the public appeared to be supporting what he was doing.

“A lot of horns honking … a lot of waving,” he said, adding that storeowners even came out to give him water. “They’re like, ‘We all complain and whine but you’re actually the one out here starting to do something about it,’ so that’s a good thing.”

No one in the recruiting station offered comment but Blackden said that at least one person came out to offer private support.

William Hinkle, a spokesperson for Hassan, said that while there was no specific threat at recruiting stations or military institutions in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire National Guard “is working with local enforcement on a detailed security review at recruiting storefronts in Durham and Manchester.” While the Durham storefront remains open, the Manchester storefront will remain closed until the security assessment is complete, he said. The NHNG is also encouraging potential recruits to continue to contact their local stations.

“Gov. Hassan will always work with the Guard to ensure that all necessary security precautions are taken so that recruiting stations are secure and safe for both staff and potential recruits,” he noted.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Admiral Bill Gortney, the head of U.S. Northern Command, has issued a directive calling on centers to increase surveillance and security.