Lebanon, Pa. - A week after an Army psychiatrist allegedly killed thirteen people at Fort Hood, Texas, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives  has passed a bill that would increase security at National Guard facilities.

The bill was first introduced at the request of Fort Indiantown Gap three years ago, but stalled. The Fort Hood shooting, Rep. RoseMarie Swanger believes, pushed the House to act quickly and vote unanimously to pass the security bill.

"I was so saddened and so appalled and so angry really that it could happen here on our own soil, that our military is not as safe as we need to make them here in our own country," Swanger said.

Swanger said security at the Gap is not exactly lax, but could be better. "The security officers here had less power and authority than a college campus security force," Swanger said. "It was that outdated."

Swanger said the bill would bring more security, but would come at no extra cost to taxpayers. The state would not be increasing the number of officers on bases, but giving more arrest powers to officers and extend their jurisdiction off the base.

"Of course, after September 11th, they realized that our bases have to be secured because they would probably be under attack if enemies had attacked us, and I think that's why they were so interested in better security here," Swanger said.

The bill is awaiting approval in the state Senate. 

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