As a life-long Idahoan and Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees funding for federal land management agencies like the Forest Service, the BLM, the National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, I strongly believe that the federal government has the responsibility to be a good neighbor, rather than simply a burden on states and communities.  This includes protecting the Second Amendment rights of Americans when they use their public lands.

During the 111th Congress, joined my colleagues in passing legislation, which was ultimately signed into law, to prevent the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuges from banning firearms.  I also cosponsored the Firearms Freedom on Federal Lands Act, which bill extended Second Amendment rights to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, ensuring the permanency of hunting and gun rights on our federal lands. 

During the 112th Congress, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2834, legislation that would recognize the heritage of recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting on Federal public lands and ensure continued opportunities for these activities and directs land management agencies to take these activities into account during land use planning.