Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has announced that he is lifting a ban on service members carrying personal firearms on U.S. military bases. Previously, base rules prohibited such individuals from openly carrying firearms. The new directive requires base commanders to approve service members' requests to carry personal firearms. This change comes as recent incidents on military bases have highlighted the dangers soldiers face even at home. The Defense Department had previously prohibited privately-owned weapons on military property, citing the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990.