Hegseth Memo Shifts Military Base Carry Policy Toward Armed Self-Defense

Summary

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memo on April 2, 2026, directing U.S. military installation commanders to presume approval for service members' requests to carry privately owned firearms for personal protection. This policy aims to reverse previous restrictions that effectively turned military bases into 'gun-free zones,' requiring written explanations for any denials of carry requests.