NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo Thursday ordering a major change in security policy, allowing service members to request a permit to carry defensive firearms amid growing concerns about threats to the US installation.
In a statement released on social media, Hegseth said all American citizens have a God-given right under the Second Amendment to bear arms for self-defense.
However, he said that privilege did not extend to uniformed service members, who are “trained to very high and unwavering standards.”
“These soldiers, entrusted with the security of our nation, have more right to exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms than any other American,” Hegseth said. “Our wars protect the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry themselves.”
HEGSETH INCLUDES ‘HIGHEST MALE-ONLY LEVEL’ FOR COMBAT, OTHER CHANGES, DEPT ANNOUNCES. DEFENSE ‘COMPLETE’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)
Citing recent tragedies at Fort Stewart, Holloman Air Force Base and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Hegseth said the incidents “made it clear” that “some threats are closer to home than we would like.”
“In these situations, minutes are a lifetime, and our service members have the courage and training to make those short minutes count,” he said. “Prior to today, it was impossible … for employees of the Department of the Army to obtain a permit to carry and store their weapons in compliance with the laws of the country in which we enter.”
Although service members may have personal firearms, concealment and carrying of a weapon was previously prohibited on federal sites – including military installations.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth administers the oath of enlistment to a group of National Guard soldiers, at the foot of the Washington Monument, on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP)
HEGSETH APPEALS DECISION TO BLOCK DEM SENATE’S PUNISHMENT OVER ‘ILLEGAL INSTRUCTIONS’ VIDEO
Those who owned their own weapons had to register their guns with local authorities and storage was often controlled by the installation.
Handling the job was usually limited to military police, security and legal personnel.
“Actually, our bases across the country were gun-free,” Hegseth said. “Unless you’re trained, or unless you’re a military police officer, you wouldn’t be able to carry it. You wouldn’t be able to carry your gun to protect yourself from the stake. Well, that’s not the case anymore.”
300 soldiers here and work on fake wounded soldiers to train (Fox News)
PENTAGON RECOMMENDS ‘MERITOCRACY’ AS OFFICIAL REMOVAL DRAWING CRITICISM OF DEMOCRACY
A memo signed Thursday directs installation managers to approve requests to carry a concealed handgun, assuming it is necessary for self-defense.
If the request is denied, Hegseth said the reason for that denial will be written down and he will explain, in detail, the basis for the order.
“Also, it is envisioned that service members will be able to have their Second Amendment rights at work,” he said. “Not all enemies are outside our borders. Some are at home. Asserting your God-given right to self-defense is what I’m signing today, and I’m proud to do so.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Hegseth did not specify whether training or certification would be required, or if the storage and transportation of weapons would be regulated.
It is not clear whether there will be uniform rules for all branches of the military.
