Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to allow U.S. service members to carry personal firearms on military bases, reported by CBS News and the Associated Press. The move is framed as a response to past shootings and a push to strengthen personal protection.
According to the report, Hegseth will direct base commanders to approve requests for privately owned weapons unless there is a clear reason to deny them. Any refusal must be justified in writing. Current policy generally restricts personal firearms on bases, with strict storage rules.
Hegseth says he will let troops take personal firearms onto military bases https://t.co/nyPsf2zPkE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 3, 2026
Hegseth argued that quicker response times during emergencies could save lives. He cited previous base shootings to support the policy shift.
Critics, including gun control advocates, warned the change could increase risks, including suicides among service members. The report said most military suicides involve privately owned firearms.
The policy marks another shift under Hegseth, who has pushed broader changes across the Pentagon in line with the Trump administration’s priorities.
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TIPP Staff
