House Approves Altmire Amendment to Restrict Funds for Gun Enforcement on Army Corps Land
Press Release
U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) was the lead Democrat on a measure that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today to restrict funding for the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to enforce a gun ban on land they own and operate. The amendment to H.R. 2354, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, was introduced with Congressmen Paul Gosar (AZ-01) and Bob Gibbs (OH-18). Last Congress, the House passed an amendment by Congressman Altmire that allows individuals to legally possess firearms in any unit of the National Park Service or National Wildlife Refuge System, but not on lands owned or managed by the Corps.
"This regulation essentially deprives gun owners of their Second Amendment rights," Congressman Altmire said. "It is important for sportsmen to be able to defend themselves while they legally hunt and fish on property that the Corps owns and operates, much of which is in rural areas without adequate law enforcement. I will continue to work to overturn this regulation, but, for now, defunding its enforcement is an excellent first step."
Congressman Altmire has been a leader in protecting an individual's Second Amendment right to bear arms. In May, Congressman Altmire introduced legislation, H.R. 1865 -- The Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act, with Congressman Gibbs to restrict the Secretary of the Army from enforcing any regulation that keeps an individual from carrying firearms for self-defense on Army Corps of Engineer property. The legislation, which is strongly supported by the National Rifle Association, has received bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.
The Corps is the largest federal provider of water-based outdoor recreation, owning or operating more than 11 million acres of land, including 400 lakes and river projects, 90,000 campsites and 4,000 miles of trails. Neither the amendment nor H.R. 1865 would change rules prohibiting possession of firearms in federal buildings, such as Army Corps of Engineers headquarters or lock and dam buildings.
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