Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo Thursday that broadens military personnel's ability to carry personal weapons on base, according to a directive that allows service members to request permission for firearms at installations including bases, naval yards, and recruitment centers.
Hegseth framed the policy shift as a security measure, arguing that arming troops would better position them to respond to attacks on military grounds. The full text of the memo remained unavailable for public review as of Thursday.
The new directive appears to relax existing oversight requirements. Under the current system, military personnel can already apply for permission to keep weapons on installation, but the process requires base-by-base approval and mandates that firearms be registered with local authorities and stored in secure containers.
It remains unclear exactly how much latitude the new policy grants, or what specific approval processes Hegseth's memo establishes for carrying weapons. The directive could represent a significant shift in how the military manages firearms on its property, or a more modest adjustment to existing procedures.
The move aligns with broader efforts within the Defense Department to examine security protocols at military installations. Hegseth took office in January and has signaled interest in reviewing various department policies.
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