Secretary of War Pete Hegseth provides updates on military operations in Iran during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on March 19, 2026. Win McNamee/Getty Images
Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum Thursday allowing Department of War personnel—specifically uniformed service members—to carry privately owned firearms while off duty on military installations, subject to approval.
“Before today, 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. … Well, that’s no longer,” Hegseth said during a social media video.
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