Armed citizens are protecting recruitment center

Armed volunteers have been acting as extra security at numerous military recruitment centers in Idaho this week. The group, 3% of Idaho, hopes by doing this, some changes can be made for officers in those facilities.

Group member Derek Olsen has been coming to the parking lot of Pocatello’s military recruitment centers for the past two days, armed and ready to handle an oncoming threat.

Having military roots in his family, Olsen feels his time is needed at the centers.

“We all have to do things to honor our family, and I guess, this is what I have to do,” he said.

When he comes to the parking lot, he walks and scans through the parking lot constantly. He’ll sometimes stand in one spot as well.

“I make sure that these guys are safe, and no one’s coming here to threaten (them),” Olsen said.

While he’s by himself in Pocatello, he’s not alone statewide. With around 1,000 members in the group, a number of military recruitment centers have had these armed volunteers. The movement started Monday in response to the Chattanooga shootings last Thursday.

This action is planned to run until Sunday. However, the timeline may extend passed that.

The group’s president, Brandon Curtiss, said they work to preserve constitutional rights.

“The military should be able to protect themselves when they’re in the recruiting offices,” said Curtiss. “They’re citizens like we are. They should be able to exercise their constitutional right to bear a firearm.”

Olsen couldn’t agree more with Curtiss.

“These guys are trained to carry these weapons. That’s why I think that they should be able to carry,” said Olsen. “They protect us overseas. Why can’t they protect us on the homeland?”

The Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army were contacted for comment about these volunteers. Only the Navy responded, saying while they have observed the extra security, they don’t endorse it.