War Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo on Thursday ordering a major shift in base security policy, allowing service members to request permission to carry personal firearms for self-defense amid growing concerns about threats on U.S. installations.
In an announcement on social media, Hegseth said all American citizens have a God-given right under the Second Amendment to carry weapons for protection.
However, he said that right has not been extended to uniformed service members, who are "trained at the highest and unwavering standards."
"These war fighters, entrusted with the safety of our nation, are no less entitled to exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms than any other American," Hegseth said. "Our war fighters defend the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry themselves."
Citing recent tragedies at Fort Stewart, Holloman Air Force Base and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Hegseth said the incidents have "made clear" that "some threats are closer to home than we would like."
"In these instances, minutes are a lifetime, and our service members have the courage and training to make those precious short minutes count," he said. "Before today, it was virtually impossible … for War Department personnel to get permission to carry and store their own personal weapons aligned with the state laws where we operate our installations."
While service members can already own personal firearms, concealing and carrying a weapon was previously not permitted on federal sites — including military installations.
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Those who owned personal weapons had to register their guns with base authorities and storage was often controlled by the installation.
Carrying on post was often restricted to military police, security and personnel on official duty.
"Effectively, our bases across the country were gun-free zones," Hegseth said. "Unless you're training, or unless you are a military policeman, you couldn't carry. You couldn't bring your own firearm for your own personal protection onto post. Well, that's no longer."
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The memo signed Thursday directs installation commanders to allow requests to carry a privately owned firearm, with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection.
If a request is denied, Hegseth said the reason for that denial will be put in writing and will explain, in detail, the basis for that direction.
"Again, the presumption is service members will be able to have their Second Amendment right on post," he said. "Not all enemies are foreign, nor are they all outside our borders. Some are domestic. Confirming your God-given right to self-protection is what I'm signing into action today, and I'm proud to do so."
Hegseth did not specify if training or certification will be required, or if storage and transport of weapons will be regulated.
It is also unclear if there will be uniform rules across all military branches.
