US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday directed military installation commanders to allow service members to request to carry privately owned firearms while off duty on Defense Department property within the US.

"Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones—leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed. That ends today," Hegseth said on US social media company X while sharing his signing of a memorandum in a video message.

Hegseth said it was "virtually impossible" for personnel to get permission to carry and store their own personal weapons.

The memo instructs commanders to approve requests unless there is a clear reason for denial, which must be provided in writing with detailed justification.

It also directs officials to apply a “commonsense” review process consistent with existing law, including provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.

The policy also applies to personnel working at the Pentagon, where the Pentagon Force Protection Agency will review firearm carry requests under the same presumption of approval.

However, the memo does not permit carrying firearms inside the Pentagon building and states that the Pentagon Force Protection Agency must allow fair consideration for Pentagon personnel to "store a privately owned firearm in a vehicle on the Pentagon Reservation."