Hegseth Says Service Members May Carry Firearms On Military Bases

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that he is lifting the ban on service members carrying personal firearms on U.S. military bases.

Base rules generally did not allow service members to openly carry personal firearms on base. Under Hegseth’s new directive, base commanders must approve service members’ requests to carry personal firearms on base so they can protect themselves.

“The War Department’s uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards. These warfighters, 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. Our warfighters defend the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry themselves,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth cited recent events to highlight the dangers service members can face even at home.

“Recent events like what happened at Fort Stewart, Holloman Air Force Base, or Pensacola Naval Air Station, have made clear that some threats are closer to home than we would like. In these instances,