The Biden administration continues to trample on your Second Amendment rights by upholding a ridiculous ban on firearms across nearly 12 million acres of public land that YOU paid for with YOUR tax dollars.
At a Glance
- The Army Corps of Engineers enforces a blanket ban on firearms across 11.7 million acres of public recreational land
- Under Title 36 § 327.13, gun owners face potential fines and imprisonment for exercising their constitutional rights
- The Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (Bill S 1460) aims to prohibit the Corps from restricting Second Amendment rights
- Courts have disappointingly upheld these unconstitutional restrictions, claiming military property deserves “special consideration”
- Gun owners are encouraged to contact their legislators to support legislation protecting firearm rights on Corps land
Your Second Amendment Rights Stop at the Campground Gate
Here’s a shocking reality check for freedom-loving Americans: when you go camping on Army Corps of Engineers land – public land that YOU own through your tax dollars – you’re forced to leave your constitutional rights at the gate. That’s right, nearly 12 million acres of American soil where exercising your Second Amendment right to self-defense is criminalized. The Corps enforces a sweeping prohibition under Title 36 § 327.13 that bans firearms, ammunition, and other weapons on their property, with minimal exceptions for law enforcement or sanctioned hunting activities.
What happens if you dare protect yourself and your family? You could face hefty fines and even imprisonment. This is the kind of backward, unconstitutional government overreach that makes my blood boil – and should infuriate every American who believes in the fundamental right to self-defense. Since when did camping on public land require surrendering your constitutional rights?
Fighting Back: Legislative Solutions on the Horizon
Thankfully, some lawmakers haven’t completely lost their minds. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has sponsored the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017, also known as Bill S 1460, which would finally prohibit the Corps from restricting firearm rights on their lands. This common-sense legislation would align Army Corps regulations with those of national parks, which already allow legal firearms possession in accordance with state laws.
The absurdity of the current situation cannot be overstated. The federal government allows you to exercise your Second Amendment rights in national parks, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management property – but step foot on Army Corps recreational land, and suddenly the Constitution magically disappears. The inconsistency is not just frustrating – it’s dangerous and unconstitutional. When criminals know you’re disarmed by federal mandate, you become a prime target in these remote camping areas.
Judicial Disappointments: Courts Failing to Protect Constitutional Rights
The legal landscape offers little hope for gun owners. In GeorgiaCarry.org, Inc. v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, freedom-loving Americans challenged these ridiculous restrictions, only to have the courts side with government overreach. The Eleventh Circuit, in its infinite wisdom, determined that the Second Amendment apparently doesn’t apply on military property – even when that property is explicitly designated for public recreational use.
The court’s reasoning is a masterclass in constitutional gymnastics. They applied “intermediate scrutiny” (which should be called “government gets what it wants scrutiny”) and determined that the Corps has a “substantial interest” in ensuring safety. Because apparently, law-abiding citizens with firearms are more dangerous than criminals who ignore the ban entirely. Makes perfect sense, right? This is the twisted logic that’s eroding our freedoms one court decision at a time.
Taking Action: How to Protect Your Rights
The time for sitting back and watching our constitutional rights disappear is over. If this infuriates you as much as it does me – and it should – then it’s time to take action. Contact your legislators and demand they support the Energy and Natural Resources Act and similar legislation that protects your Second Amendment rights on all public lands. Organizations like the Firearms Policy Coalition are actively fighting these battles, but they need your support.
Remember, the government works for us – not the other way around. These 11.7 million acres belong to the American people, not bureaucrats who think the Constitution is optional. The right to self-defense doesn’t end where federal property begins, especially on land designated for public recreational use. Our forefathers didn’t fight and die for freedoms that evaporate whenever some government agency decides they’re inconvenient.
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