{"id":5864,"date":"2026-04-05T10:53:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conservative-politics.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/05\/hegseth-signs-memo-allowing-military-personnel-to-obtain-permission-to-carry-personal-firearms-on-installations-one-america-news-network\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T10:53:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T10:53:36","slug":"hegseth-signs-memo-allowing-military-personnel-to-obtain-permission-to-carry-personal-firearms-on-installations-one-america-news-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/conservative-politics.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/05\/hegseth-signs-memo-allowing-military-personnel-to-obtain-permission-to-carry-personal-firearms-on-installations-one-america-news-network\/","title":{"rendered":"Hegseth signs memo allowing military personnel to obtain permission to carry personal firearms on installations \u2013 One America News Network"},"content":{"rendered":"
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Oliver Contreras \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OAN Staff\u00a0Katherine Mosack<\/a>
6:41 AM \u2013 Saturday, April 4, 2026<\/p>\n

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum<\/a> to allow War Department personnel to request permission to carry privately owned firearms on military installations in the United States.<\/p>\n

In a video posted by the Department of War on X Thursday, Hegseth argued that military bases have been effectively turned into \u201cgun-free zones,\u201d infringing on service members\u2019 Second Amendment right to bear arms. He also pointed out the irony that the most highly trained individuals are the ones prohibited from carrying arms.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe War Department\u2019s uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards,\u201d he stated. \u201cThese war fighters, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur war fighters defend the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry, themselves,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n


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The secretary cited various shootings at military bases across the country as proof that military personnel would benefit from the freedom to arm and protect themselves while on base.<\/p>\n

The list included an event at the U.S. Army base, Fort Stewart, last August, in which Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford opened fire with a personal handgun inside a logistics\/supply unit, shooting and wounding four soldiers and his civilian boyfriend, though all five survived.<\/p>\n

He also referred to the Holloman Air Force Base this March when a gunman shot and killed one military veteran and injured an active-duty airman at a base convenience store.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Finally, he mentioned the attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 2019, carried out by Saudi Air Force officer in training Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani. Alshamrani killed three U.S. Navy sailors and wounded 8 others whom he shot inside an on-base classroom.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn these instances, minutes are a lifetime,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd our service members have the courage and training to make those precious, short minutes count.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He explained that it was \u201cvirtually impossible\u201d for service members and personnel to obtain permission to carry and store their personal weapons on military installations.<\/p>\n

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Military police are often the only armed individuals on base, except for shooting ranges, hunting areas, or in training exercises. Typically, military personnel would be required to check their guns out of storage to use them for on-base sanctioned uses, and would need to check all weapons back in promptly afterwards.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe memo I\u2019m signing today directs installation commanders to allow requests for personal protection \u2014 to carry a privately-owned firearm \u2014 with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Should a request be denied, the memo would require that the denial be in writing, providing clear reasoning.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe presumption is service members will be able to have their Second Amendment right on-post,\u201d Hegseth said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones\u2014leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed.<\/p>\n

That ends today. pic.twitter.com\/IQ204YepZ0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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