Passage of H.R. 2028 Includes Right-to-Carry on Army Corps Land Provision

On Friday, May 1, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2028 the "Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016," by a bipartisan vote of 240-177.

This bill is designed to protect the rights of gun owners on lands owned or managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). This legislation would help end the patchwork of firearm laws and regulations that govern different federal lands managed by different federal agencies.

On May 12, 2009, legislation was passed that greatly reduced restrictions on the possession of firearms for self-defense on National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System lands. Under this legislation, rules governing carry on those federal lands incorporate the laws of the state in which the lands are located. This greatly expanded the places where law-abiding Americans can legally carry firearms for self-defense. However, that change in the law did not include millions of acres of recreational land managed by the Corps. The Corps owns or manages over 11.7 million acres, including 400 lakes and river projects, 90,000 campsites and 4,000 miles of trails. H.R. 2028 would reverse the Corps' policy and restore the right of law-abiding Americans to possess firearms for self-defense on Corps lands.

© 2015 National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action. This may be reproduced. This may not be reproduced for commercial purposes.