Statement by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on ending the policy that made the military bases in the US as gun-free zones:
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Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones—leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed. That ends today.
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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.
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250 years ago the Revolutionary War was fought to secure our god-given rights. The Second Amendment to our Constitution enshrines the right of all citizens to carry weapons to protect themselves, their families and their fellow [citizens/service members].
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Uniformed service members are trained at the highest and unwavering standards. These warfighters, 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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Our war fighters defend their rights to carry. They should be able [to].
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Recent events like what happened at Fort Stewart, Holloman Air Force Base or Pensacola Naval Air Station, or even at Fort Stewart Air Force Base — in these instances minutes are a lifetime. And our service members have the courage and training to make those precious short minutes [count].
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Before today it was virtually impossible. Most people probably don’t know this. It is virtually impossible for War Department personnel to get permission to carry and store their own personal weapons aligned with state laws where we operate our installations. I mean effectively our bases [are] 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 personal protection onto post.
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Well that’s no longer [the case]. The memo I’m signing today directs installation commanders to allow requests for personal protection to carry a privately owned firearm with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection.
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If a request is denied then we will explain in detail the basis for that [denial]. Again the presumption is service members will be able to have their Second Amendment right on post. Not all enemies are foreign nor are they all outside our borders. Some are domestic. Confirming your god-given right to self-protection is what I’m signing into action today.”
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