On Tuesday night, July 22, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly voted 215-214 to make approval the default when qualified service members and Pentagon civilian employees request permission to carry personal firearms on military bases. The measure establishes a presumption that installation commanders approve such requests.

Three Democrats joined most Republicans in supporting the measure, while three Republicans and independent Rep. Jeff Crank of Colorado opposed the automatic authorization.

This vote follows an incident in August 2025, when an Army sergeant allegedly used a personal handgun to shoot five fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart, Georgia. At that time, personal firearms were prohibited on the post, according to military officials.

Separately, Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert proposed legislation that would have codified former President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order barring transgender troops from military service and requiring personnel to serve according to their biological sex.

The House also approved a replacement rule directing the clerk to merge election legislation with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) before sending it to the Senate, expanding the number of defense amendments eligible for consideration from 312 to 320.

Additional provisions under discussion include pay raises ranging from 5% to 7% for service members, expanded weapons and munitions production, and accelerated investment in missile defense, autonomous systems, hypersonics, and other emerging technologies.

Speaker Mike Johnson committed to attaching the SAVE America Act to appropriations and other must-pass legislation, influencing legislative negotiations.

Sources