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Trump Administration Prepares to Abolish One of America’s Biggest Gun-Free Zones

Monday, April 20, 2020

Trump Administration Prepares to Abolish One of America’s Biggest Gun-Free Zones

On April 13, the Trump Administration published a proposed rule to end a ban on the possession of firearms in water resource development projects administered by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).

These areas comprise one of the largest networks of outdoor recreation sites in America, encompassing more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states. Activities that occur on these sites include hiking, boating, fishing, camping, hunting, and geo-caching.

Currently, regulations pertaining to these areas authorize the use and possession of firearms only for specified purposes, including hunting or at designated shooting ranges, or with written permission from the District Commander who has jurisdiction over the area in question.

The otherwise lawful possession of firearms, including for self-defense, is effectively banned.

Not only does this policy infringe the Second Amendment rights of visitors to these areas, as has been recognized by at least one federal court, it is at odds with policies governing firearms that apply on other types of federal recreational lands.

The National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service all recognize a right to possess firearms on lands under their authority, consistent with the laws of the states in which those lands are located.

Meanwhile, federal statutory law continues to prohibit the possession of firearms in “federal facilities” (i.e., buildings where federal employees regularly perform their officials duties), a restriction that would not be changed by the pending rulemaking.

As proposed, the rule would allow visitors to possess and transport firearms on ACE water resource development project lands and waters, provided they are not prohibited by law from possessing firearms and the possession or transportation is otherwise in compliance with applicable laws.

This commonsense provision would abolish an existing gun-free zone on 12 million acres of public lands and waters nationwide, including 55,390 miles of shoreline, 7,856 miles of trails, 92,588 campsites, and 3,754 boat ramps.

Comments may be filed in support of the rule at Regulations.gov.  Submissions are due by June 12, 2020.

As Americans look forward to re-engaging in their favorite outdoor pastimes at the end of the state lockdowns currently in effect because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Trump administration is at work to ensure they will do so with their Second Amendment rights fully intact.

The NRA thanks the president for his continued support of our right to keep and bear arms and urges all gun owners to show their enthusiastic support for the proposed rule by submitting their comments.

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Monday, April 1, 2024

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Colorado: Legislature Making Final Push For Gun Control Before End of Session

Friday, May 3, 2024

Colorado: Legislature Making Final Push For Gun Control Before End of Session

As the clock ticks down to the end of the 2024 session on Wednesday, May 8th, anti-gun extremists in the General Assembly continue to push legislation that will infringe on your constitutional rights. 

President Donald J. Trump to Address NRA Members at the 153rd NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas

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Friday, May 3, 2024

President Donald J. Trump to Address NRA Members at the 153rd NRA Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas

Today, the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced that President Donald J. Trump will address NRA members as the keynote speaker at the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on Saturday, May 18th in Dallas, ...

26 States File Suit Against ATF

Thursday, May 2, 2024

26 States File Suit Against ATF

Fairfax, Virginia – May 1, 2024…Today, a total of 26 States filed three separate lawsuits against the ATF’s new rule redefining who is “engaged in the business” of dealing in firearms. As NRA previously warned, this ...

With a Stroke of the Pen, Biden ATF Criminalizes Tens of Thousands of Private Firearm Sellers

News  

Friday, April 12, 2024

With a Stroke of the Pen, Biden ATF Criminalizes Tens of Thousands of Private Firearm Sellers

We have long been warning of the rule the Biden ATF has been preparing to redefine who is considered a firearm “dealer” under U.S. law.  The administration’s explicit objective was to move as close to so-called “universal background ...

Supreme Court Takes Up Biden Administration’s Attempt to Reinterpret Meaning of “Firearm”

News  

Monday, April 29, 2024

Supreme Court Takes Up Biden Administration’s Attempt to Reinterpret Meaning of “Firearm”

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Colorado: Guns & Ammo Excise Tax to be Heard in Senate Finance Committee Today

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Colorado: Guns & Ammo Excise Tax to be Heard in Senate Finance Committee Today

Today, May 4th, the Senate Finance Committee will hear House Bill 24-1349, the guns & ammo excise tax. 

Minnesota: Anti-Gun Bills Pass in the House, Advance to the Senate

Friday, May 3, 2024

Minnesota: Anti-Gun Bills Pass in the House, Advance to the Senate

Last night, House File 4300 and House File 2609 were passed in the House on 68-64 and 71-59 votes, respectively. Those measures now move to the Senate to await committee referral in that chamber. The bills impose a ...

Colorado: Guns & Ammo Excise Tax Passes Senate Appropriations Committee

Monday, May 6, 2024

Colorado: Guns & Ammo Excise Tax Passes Senate Appropriations Committee

Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed HB 24-1349, the guns & ammo excise tax. HB 24-1349 reduces the tax from 9% down to 6.5%. The bill will now head to the Senate floor for a ...

Colorado: Gun Control Bills Pass House After Weekend Votes

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Colorado: Gun Control Bills Pass House After Weekend Votes

After holding late-night votes until close to midnight on Saturday, April 20th, the Colorado House passed three anti-gun bills on their third reading, including liability insurance mandates, an 11% excise tax, and a state-level permitting systems for FFL's. 

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.