WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator John Boozman filed an amendment Monday that would prohibit the Secretary of the Army from enforcing any regulation that keeps an individual from possessing firearms on Army Corps of Engineer Water Resource Development projects or facilities.

"This amendment would make gun regulations consistent across all federal recreational lands,” Boozman said. “Law abiding gun owners deserve to defend themselves on federal lands while enjoying the outdoors.”

“This move will bring clarity and uniformity to firearms policy on federal recreational lands,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “News headlines remind us that deadly crimes do happen on federal lands; therefore, it’s common sense that law-abiding citizens should have an effective means to protect themselves and their families while they’re on these lands.” 

The Corps is the largest federal provider of water-based outdoor recreation, owning or operating more than 11 million acres of land, including 400 lakes and river projects, 90,000 campsites and 4,000 miles of trails. The amendment does not change rules prohibiting possession of firearms in federal buildings, such as Army Corps of Engineers headquarters or lock and dam buildings.

Boozman joined Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) introducing legislation last year to correct this inconsistentcy.

In the 111^th Congress, lawmakers overwhelming approved allowing individuals to possess firearms in the National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, provided they are not breaking state laws or otherwise prohibited from possessing the firearms. However, current regulations prohibit these same rights on many of the lands operated by the Army Corps.