NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum late last week directing base commanders to allow requests to carry privately owned firearms onto base \u2014 a practice that has historically been prohibited under military law.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
No guidance issued yet at NAS Jacksonville<\/p>\n
A public affairs officer at Naval Air Station Jacksonville confirmed the installation has not yet received guidance regarding the policy from higher authority.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed framework, implementation would fall to individual base commanders, meaning rules and regulations could vary depending on the installation.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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