The Trump administration has published a proposed rule to abolish one of our nations largest gun-free zones.
The areas Trump wants the ban lifted on comprise a massive network of outdoor recreation sites that spans across 43 states.
The Army Corps of Engineers manages water resource development projects on these lands. People from across the country enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and hunting here.
But as it currently is, there are heavy regulations on the use of firearms anywhere in these areas. Guns are only permitted for hunting or at shooting ranges, or if you can get the District Commander to give you written permission.
Having a gun for self-defense—or any other reason other than stated above—is not permitted by law.
This is a clear infringement on peoples 2nd Amendment rights, and is not consistent with firearm policies on other pieces of federal land.
More from The Daily Caller:
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.
After weeks of lockdown orders, millions of Americans are excited to resume their favorite outdoor activities.
Trump is working hard to make sure we will all be able to do just that — and with our 2nd Amendment rights fully intact.