Congressman Bob Gibbs Introduces the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act

Seeks to close loophole limiting second amendment rights on over 7.6 million acres of federal land

On May 12, Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) introduced HR 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act.

"Today, I am proud to introduce HR 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act and continue my commitment to preserve the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution," said Congressman Gibbs. "HR 1865 would protect law-abiding individuals' civil right to bear arms on lands owned by the Army Corps of Engineers.'

"After an overwhelming bipartisan majority of lawmakers passed legislation allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms on National Park and National Wildlife Service lands, the lands owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers were not addressed," said Gibbs.

"The Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act is a bipartisan effort that seeks to correct this oversight and restore Second Amendment rights to law-abiding citizens while they are legally camping, hunting, and fishing on the 11.7 million acres of Army Corps recreational property," said Gibbs. "As we enter the summer season, families and sportsmen taking advantage of this federal land should not have to worry that their legally-obtained concealed weapon permit is invalid."

"According to some estimates, the federal government owns 30% of all land across this country. This bill will take us one-step closer toward having a consistent firearms policy across all federal lands. The 4 million members of the NRA along with tens of millions of hunters and gun owners would like to thank Congressmen Gibbs and Altmire for their leadership in seeking a common-sense bi-partisan remedy to this problem," said Chris W. Cox, executive director for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action.

Gibbs continued, "I would like to thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Congressman Jason Altmire, for joining me to push for this legislation. The Second Amendment is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of safety for all of our constituents."

Urge your member of Congress to cosponsor this important legislation, and thank them if they are already a co-sponsor.

Sponsor: Rep. Bob Gibbs [R-OH18]

Cosponsors: (As of May 16, 2011)
Jason Altmire [D-PA4]
Steve Austria [R-OH7]
Roscoe Bartlett [R-MD6]
Joe Barton [R-TX6]
Rob Bishop [R-UT1]
Marsha Blackburn [R-TN7]
Paul Broun [R-GA10]
Vern Buchanan [R-FL13]
Jason Chaffetz [R-UT3]
John Duncan [R-TN2]
Louis Gohmert [R-TX1]
Tim Holden [D-PA17]
Jim Jordan [R-OH4]
Steven LaTourette [R-OH14]
Robert Latta [R-OH5]
Donald Manzullo [R-IL16]
Tom McClintock [R-CA4]
Candice Miller [R-MI10]
Steve Stivers [R-OH15]
Patrick Tiberi [R-OH12]
Timothy Walberg [R-MI7]

For an up-to-the-minute list of co-sponors, click here.

Media Coverage:
Zanesville Times-Recorder - Proposal allows firearms on Corps property