NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Pentagon is considering a major shift in security protocols at military installations that could affect thousands of servicemembers in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum late last week directing base commanders to allow requests to carry privately owned firearms onto base — a practice that has historically been prohibited under military law.
The proposal follows several high-profile attacks on military installations. Hegseth specifically referenced the 2019 shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola, which killed three people and injured eight others, as well as a shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Currently, most base security protocols limit weapons carrying to military police, and personally owned firearms are required to be stored and registered in authorized locations.
No guidance issued yet at NAS Jacksonville
A public affairs officer at Naval Air Station Jacksonville confirmed the installation has not yet received guidance regarding the policy from higher authority.
Under the proposed framework, implementation would fall to individual base commanders, meaning rules and regulations could vary depending on the installation.
Servicemembers are urged not to assume they are authorized to carry a personal firearm onto base until official guidance is received. Personnel should check with their chain of command before making any changes to how they transport or carry weapons.