Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Thursday that he will permit service members to carry personal weapons on military bases, citing the Second Amendment and recent shootings on bases nationwide. Hegseth stated in a video that he is issuing a memo instructing base commanders to approve requests for troops to carry privately owned firearms “presuming it is necessary for personal protection.” He emphasized that any denial of such requests must be justified in detail and in writing.
Hegseth highlighted the previous gun-free status of military bases, except for training purposes or military police. This decision comes in response to questions raised following various shootings on military bases, ranging from individual incidents to mass shootings, such as the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that resulted in 13 fatalities.
Until now, Defense Department policy has restricted military personnel from carrying personal firearms on base without authorization from a senior commander, with specific rules for firearm storage and usage. Critics of the relaxation of rules, like Tanya Schardt from the Brady gun violence prevention organization, have expressed concerns about potential increases in gun suicides and violence.
While the number of suicides among American service members decreased in 2024, there has been a gradual rise in suicide rates among active duty troops from 2011 to 2024. Hegseth’s decision to modify firearm regulations reflects his broader efforts to reform military policies, including challenging what he perceives as “woke” policies and implementing changes in various aspects of military operations.
In recent days, Hegseth has made significant changes to military policies, such as removing officials like Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. These actions are part of his larger agenda to revamp the military’s approach to various areas, including equal opportunity, grooming standards, and diversity initiatives.
