War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday signed a directive expanding the ability of service members to request permission to carry privately owned firearms on military installations while off duty.

The policy, he explained, ties into a larger commitment to defend the nation with disciplined courage and respect for the Constitution.

“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,” Hegseth announced in a video posted to social media.

In substance, the memorandum directs installation commanders to consider requests with a presumption of approval, reversing what Hegseth described as a system that made it “virtually impossible for troops to carry or store personal firearms in accordance with state laws, the Pentagon said in a statement on Thursday.

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The change is not a free for all, but a calibrated expansion designed to align on base safety with the realities of civilian life and the constitutional rights of service members.

The War Secretary stressed that the process should be clear, predictable, and respectful of local regulations and basing needs.

The policy builds on existing authority under the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon said, and the new guidance directs Pentagon officials to update regulations to formalize the process for approvals. Because the policy rests on a legal framework, it is designed to be robust and practical.

It aims to ensure that service members who meet the standards can exercise their rights while maintaining the security and order expected on every installation. Hegseth framed the move as a constitutional issue and in response to recent active shooter situations on military installations.

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He specifically cited a 2019 attack at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, where three people were killed and eight others injured; a 2025 shooting that wounded five soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia; and a 2026 shooting at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico that killed one person and injured another.

In emergencies like those, he said, “minutes are a lifetime, and our service members have the courage and training to make those precious, short minutes count.”

The new directive is intended to empower troops to act decisively and protect themselves and their units in moments when every second matters.

The policy signals a shift toward trusting the judgment of disciplined personnel who have demonstrated their readiness and responsibility in training and in the field. It also places a premium on ensuring that decisions are timely and consistent across installations, with the goal of avoiding needless delays that could undermine safety.

The WAR Secretary also noted that the directive extends to all personnel working at the Pentagon, where the Pentagon Force Protection Agency must adopt the same presumption of approval.

However, the policy does not allow personnel to carry inside the building itself, instead permitting storage of the firearms in vehicles on Pentagon grounds.

This limitation preserves a controlled environment for the heart of the nation’s command and control while recognizing the realities faced by those who serve in uniform and carry personal firearms off base.

Officials say the approach prioritizes safety and accountability, with clear rules of storage, transport, and use carved into updated regulations.

Proponents argue the policy reflects common sense and a respect for the duties carried by service members, arguing that modern threats require a balanced approach that does not automatically yield to fear or bureaucratic inertia.

Critics worry about the implications for on base security and the potential for mishandling or misuse, but supporters respond that the framework includes strict safeguards, vetting, and oversight to prevent abuse.

The aim, they insist, is to restore a measure of personal responsibility and readiness that has long been a hallmark of American military service.

Under this view, President Trump’s leadership and the guidance from the War Secretary are seen as a deliberate effort to align military policy with the fundamentals of American liberty and the realities of today’s security landscape.

The issue, in this sense, is less about politics and more about practical protection for those who protect the country.

Because every life matters, and because readiness is not a luxury but an obligation, the policy seeks to ensure service members can defend themselves and each other when seconds count.

At the same time, it preserves the chain of command, the primacy of disciplined behavior, and the duty to uphold the safety of every installation.

The dialogue around the policy continues, but its core aim is clear: to empower capable and trustworthy service members to act with speed and restraint when danger arises.

This is about strengthening the ability of our armed forces to deter and respond, while maintaining the standards that keep our mission secure and our people protected.

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