Senator McConnell Calls for Improvements to Sportsmen's Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called on Senate Democrat Leadership to consider bipartisan amendments to the Sportsmen's Act that would improve the legislation to better serve Kentucky's interests. Senator McConnell is supporting amendments offered by Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) that should be included in the Sportsmen's Act.

The Wicker amendment would protect individuals' rights to bear arms on lands owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Martins Fork Lake, and Laurel River Lake in Kentucky. Senator McConnell is a cosponsor of this bipartisan measure.

"The Wicker amendment would protect the Second Amendment rights of Kentuckians while they are legally camping, fishing and hunting on land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers," Senator McConnell said. "From the sportsmen and sportswomen who hunt in Kentucky's public recreation areas, to the many Kentuckians who find comfort in the protection that the Second Amendment guarantees for their homes and their families, this amendment helps to protect Kentuckians' Right to Bear Arms."

The Barrasso amendment, which Senator McConnell also cosponsored, would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing their proposed rule expanding federal authority over waterways, wetlands and land use across the country. "This proposed rule by the Obama Administration would have a devastating impact on Kentucky land use, including on its farmers, the coal industry and other small businesses; it would also have a harmful effect on Kentucky jobs," Senator McConnell said. "I have heard from Kentuckians across the state and from various different industries on this issue. All are concerned this is another power-grab by the EPA to essentially regulate every ditch and pothole whether it be in a Kentucky public park or on someone's private land."

The Barrasso language is supported by the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, the Kentucky Coal Association, the Home Builders Association of Kentucky and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

"The bill as it stands now doesn't go far enough for Kentucky, it needs to be improved. Both the Wicker and the Barrasso amendments are commonsense, bipartisan amendments that are timely and highly relevant to this bill. Both measures would greatly improve the bill for Kentuckians and I strongly encourage Senate Democrat Leadership to permit their consideration," Senator McConnell said.

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