Defense Secretary Lifts Ban on Personal Firearms on Military Bases

Hegseth cites recent shootings as reason to allow service members to carry their own guns for personal protection

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:31pm

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A dynamic, fragmented painting depicting a soldier's hand tightly gripping a handgun, the image broken into overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and grey, conveying a sense of tension and unease around the policy change.The new policy allowing service members to carry personal firearms on military bases sparks concerns about increased gun violence, even as proponents argue it will enhance personal protection.Fort Stewart Today

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced this week that he will allow service members to carry personal weapons onto military installations, citing the Second Amendment and recent shootings at bases across the country. Hegseth said any denial of a service member's request to carry a privately owned firearm must be explained in detail and in writing. The current policy, enacted under George HW Bush, has prohibited military personnel from carrying personal weapons on base without permission from a senior commander.

Why it matters

This policy change comes amid concerns about security and violence on military bases, including isolated incidents between service members as well as mass casualty events. However, gun violence prevention groups warn that the move could lead to an increase in gun suicides and other gun violence among active-duty troops.

The details

Hegseth said in a video posted to X that he was signing a memo directing base commanders to grant requests for troops to carry privately owned firearms "with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection." Previously, military personnel had to officially check their guns out of secure storage to go to on-base hunting areas or shooting ranges, then check them back in promptly after the sanctioned use. Military police have typically been the only armed personnel on base, outside of shooting ranges, hunting areas or in training.

  • On April 4, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the new policy allowing service members to carry personal firearms on military bases.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense who announced the new policy allowing service members to carry personal firearms on military bases.

Tanya Schardt

A representative from the Brady gun violence prevention organization, who warned that the policy change could lead to an increase in gun suicides and other gun violence among active-duty troops.

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What they’re saying

“Effectively, our bases across the country were gun-free zones. Unless you're training or unless you are a military policeman, you couldn't carry, you couldn't bring your own firearm for your own personal protection onto post.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense

“Our military installations are among the most guarded, protected properties in the world, and they've never been 'gun-free zones.' If there is a problem with violent crime on these installations, then the Secretary of Defense has an obligation to alert the American people and describe how he's working to prevent that crime.”

— Tanya Schardt, Representative, Brady gun violence prevention organization

What’s next

The new policy allowing service members to carry personal firearms on military bases will go into effect immediately, with base commanders required to grant requests from troops unless they provide a detailed written explanation for denying the request.

The takeaway

This policy change highlights the ongoing debate over gun rights and gun violence prevention, especially within the context of military service and security. While proponents argue it will enhance personal protection, critics warn it could lead to an increase in gun-related incidents and deaths among active-duty troops.