Pete Hegseth Ends the Gun-Free Zone Madness on Military Bases [WATCH]

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a policy change allowing U.S. service members to carry privately owned firearms on military installations for personal protection, reversing a longstanding restriction that limited access to personal weapons on base.

Hegseth outlined the decision in a statement emphasizing constitutional rights and the role of service members in defending both the nation and individual freedoms.

“Our Great Republic was founded on a simple yet bold idea. Our rights as citizens are not granted to us by government, but instead by God,” Hegseth said.

“250 years ago, the Revolutionary War was fought to secure our God given rights.”

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He pointed to the Second Amendment as the basis for the policy change, stating that those serving in uniform should have the same rights as civilians when it comes to self-defense.

“The second amendment to our constitution enshrines the right of all citizens to carry weapons to protect themselves, their families, and their fellow countrymen,” Hegseth said.

“The war department’s uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards. These 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.”

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Hegseth said the change comes after incidents on military bases that raised concerns about response times and the ability of personnel to defend themselves in emergencies.

He referenced prior attacks at installations including Fort Stewart, Hurlburt Field, and Naval Air Station Pensacola.

“Our war fighters defend the right of others to carry they should be able to carry themselves,” Hegseth said.

“Recent events like what happened at Fort Stewart, Holloman Air Force base or Pensacola Naval Air Station have made clear that some threats are closer to home than we would like. In these instances, minutes are a lifetime, and our service members have the courage and training to make those precious short minutes count.”

Under the previous policy, service members were largely prohibited from bringing or storing personal firearms on base unless they were engaged in training or serving in a law enforcement capacity.

Hegseth said the restriction effectively turned many installations into areas where personal firearms were not allowed.

“Before today, it was virtually impossible. Most people probably don’t know this. It was virtually impossible for War Department personnel to get permission to carry and store their own personal weapons aligned with the state laws where we operate our installations,” he said.

“I mean, effectively, our bases across the country were gun free zones, unless you’re training or unless you are a military policeman, you couldn’t carry, you couldn’t bring your own firearm for your own personal protection on to post.”

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