SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a memo this week expanding access for service members to bring personal weapons on military installations.
Veterans in the area near Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield shared mixed reactions to the decision. Some support the order, saying it gives service members the ability to defend themselves. Others believe the decision poses more harm than good, citing mental health concerns.
“It’s both good and bad,” said Joe Higgins, who served 10 years active duty with the Army.
Policy changes streamline approval process
Prior Defense Department policy prohibited service members form carrying personal weapons without permission from a senior commander. If permission was given, military personnel must follow strict guidelines for weapon storage and use.
In a video posted to social media, Hegseth called the previous process of approving a personal firearm “virtually impossible.” The memo streamlines the process, making it easier for service members to carry weapons for personal protection.
Veterans shared conflicting views on the memo and said the issue itself is complex. In August, a soldier allegedly shot four soldiers and a civilian worker at Fort Stewart. Some believe in light of recent acts of violence at military installations, protecting troops is a good thing.
“Am I glad that soldiers could potentially defend themselves in a situation like Fort Stewart experienced just not long ago, yes,” Higgins said.
Corey Foreman, a U.S. Army veteran, was stationed at Fort Stewart during his contract. He explained the current response policies in place, as well as the access to military weapons at the base.
“Every single place that you are working on Fort Stewart, most of them have an armory, there’s weapons there’s ammunition everything’s there,” Foreman said. “If there was a massive situation where that you needed a response there’s access to firearms and most personnel are trained in some way to handle that. Going on an individualistic approach and giving it to individual personnel, why and then how do you justify what the threat level is.”
Mental health concerns raised
While some believe the decision allows service members a better chance to defend themselves, others believe it creates more opportunity for harm.
The suspect in the Fort Stewart incident was in court this week and testified that he was suicidal at the time of the shooting. He said he wanted to provoke military police to taking his life. The shooting was carried out with a personal firearm, according to leaders at the base.
Billy House, a 12-year Navy veteran, said he saw and experienced mental health issues while on duty. He believes Hegseth’s decision is a mistake.
“I don’t think this was a decision made for the health and wellbeing of anybody it is a decision that was made to earn political capital,” House said.
House said during his time in the Navy he saw acts of violence carried out without a firearm. He spoke about seeing one sailor, who he described as “unwell”, stab another sailor in the chest seven times unprovoked.
“Having access to guns is going to make those acts of violence worse for those who do decide they want to carry it out,” House said.
Mental health and suicide is an issue that has been long addressed by the military. In 2024, 471 service members died by suicide in the country, according to the Department of War. Some veterans believe mental health is what needs to be addressed, not increasing access to weapons.
“He’s not talking about, ‘oh wow we have a mental health issue at Fort Stewart’, he’s saying ‘oh wow we have a problem and I think more people need firearms to handle the mental health crisis themselves’, that’s not the answer,” said Foreman.
The Military Crisis Line can be reached by dialing 988 and then pressing one. The worldwide crisis line is a free, confidential resource open 24/7 for all service members, veterans, and their families. Those needing support can also text 838255 or click here to chat online.
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