Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Announces Policy Allowing Service Members to Carry Personal Firearms on Base
The new policy reverses decades of strict restrictions that generally prohibited troops from carrying personal weapons on base except in very limited circumstances.
Tommy Flynn
WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on April 2, 2026, that the Department of Defense will immediately begin allowing service members to carry their personally owned firearms on military installations.
The new policy reverses decades of strict restrictions that generally prohibited troops from carrying personal weapons on base except in very limited circumstances. Under the updated rules, qualified service members with valid concealed-carry permits will be permitted to carry concealed personal firearms on base after completing required training and certification.
Hegseth described the change as a long-overdue restoration of Second Amendment rights for those who defend the nation. “Our service members swear an oath to protect the Constitution, and that includes their own right to self-defense,” Hegseth said in a statement. “They should not be forced to be disarmed on the very bases where they live and work.”
The policy applies to active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel. Installation commanders will retain authority to designate limited sensitive areas where carry is prohibited, but the default will shift toward allowing qualified individuals to carry.
The move fulfills a key Trump administration priority to strengthen the rights and readiness of service members. It comes after years of complaints from troops and veterans that existing rules left them vulnerable on base, especially following several high-profile shootings at military installations.
Pentagon officials said the change will be implemented swiftly across all branches, with guidance expected within the next 30 days. Service members will need to meet state and federal concealed-carry standards plus complete an additional DoD-approved firearms safety and de-escalation course.
The announcement was welcomed by veterans’ groups and Second Amendment organizations as a major step toward treating service members as trusted adults rather than subjects who must check their rights at the gate. Critics, including some gun-control advocates, expressed concern about increased risks on bases, though the Pentagon emphasized that the policy includes strict screening and training requirements.
This represents one of the most significant changes to base weapons policy in modern U.S. military history.