Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a memo directing the military to request permission to carry private firearms on base for personal protection.
Before the announcement, many soldiers couldn’t legally carry on base unless they were training or a military policeman.
The memo follows several attacks on military bases.
Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones—leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) April 2, 2026
That ends today. pic.twitter.com/IQ204YepZ0
The memo follows several attacks on military bases.
“Our war fighters defend the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry themselves. Recent events like what happened at Fort Stewart Holloman Air Force Base [in New Mexico] or Pensacola Naval Air Station have made clear that some threats are closer to home than we would like,” Hegseth said in the video.
The order that Hegseth signed directs installation commanders to allow requests for personal protection with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection, he said.
“Not all enemies are foreign, nor are they all outside our borders; some are domestic,” Hegseth said.
BREAKING: SecWar Hegseth just ENDED gun-free zones on U.S. military bases.
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 2, 2026
Installation commanders must now allow service members to carry privately owned firearms for personal protection, with the presumption of approval. Denials require written explanations.
"Our warfighters… pic.twitter.com/VFq550X66P
Secretary Hegseth just issued a memo directing military installation Commanders to allow service members to request permission to carry privately owned firearms for personal protection on base, with a presumption in favor of approval aligned with state laws.
— TPUSA Rapid Response (@TPUSARapidRep) April 2, 2026
Prior to this,… pic.twitter.com/IlOaY9SFyR