Full Breakdown
Republican Lawmakers Urge Army Corps to Lift Firearm Ban on Federal Lands
4/29/2026, 3:21:15 AM
Congressional Push to Change USACE Firearm Policy
On April 28 2026, a coalition of two dozen House Republicans sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, who also serves as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The lawmakers asked Driscoll to direct the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to “immediately finalize and implement” a rule change originally drafted during the Trump administration. The proposed guidance would permit the lawful carry of firearms on the roughly 12 million acres managed by the Corps, bringing its policy in line with state law and with the practices of other federal land-management agencies.
Legislative and Administrative Background
In 2009, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that repealed federal restrictions on carrying firearms on lands overseen by the National Park Service. The Obama administration, however, declined to extend the same relief to USACE-managed lands, leaving a “general prohibition” in place. The Trump administration later drafted a rule to remove that prohibition, but the rule was never finalized. The current Republican request seeks to complete that long-pending change.
Key Lawmakers and Officials
- Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas) – primary sponsor of the letter.
- Co-signers: Brian Babin (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Ronny Jackson (TX), Nathaniel Moran (TX), Nick Begich (AK), Buddy Carter (GA), Scott DesJarlais (TN), Mike Flood (NE), Paul Gosar (AZ), Pat Harrigan (NC), Tracey Mann (KS), Brian Mast (FL), Jimmy Patronis (FL), John McGuire (VA), Max Miller (OH), David Taylor (OH), Barry Moore (AL), Burgess Owens (UT), Jefferson Shreve (IN), Pete Stauber (MN), Glenn Thompson (PA), Bruce Westerman (AR), Ryan Zinke (MT).
- Daniel Driscoll, Secretary of the Army and acting ATF director – the recipient of the request.
Scope of USACE Land Management
- Land area: > 11.7 million acres nationwide.
- Recreation infrastructure: ~90,000 campsites, 400 lake and river projects, and 4,000 miles of trails.
Official Statements & Rationale
The letter argues that USACE lands are the only major federal lands still barring lawful firearm carriage, creating an “outdated exception.” Lawmakers contend the rule is needed to align Corps policy with state law, to enable self-defense for anglers and hunters in remote areas lacking law-enforcement presence, and to address genuine wildlife threats. They assert that “invisible federal lines” should not force law-abiding citizens to disarm.
Criticism & Opposition
The sources do not record any formal opposition or criticism from federal agencies, advocacy groups, or other members of Congress.
Verbatim Quotes
- “[W]hile most federal agencies respect the lawful exercise of Second Amendment rights on their managed lands, it is a different story for USACE-managed lands,” — Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas)
- “Public lands form a complicated patchwork of jurisdictions with invisible boundaries that Americans cross every day. While the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management respect our Second Amendment rights, USACE lands remain an outdated exception,” — Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas)
- “Finalizing this long-proposed rule is critical to align with state law and restore full constitutional protections on Corps lakes, trails, and campsites. American citizens deserve to exercise their God-given Second Amendment rights without arbitrary federal restrictions,” — Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas)
- “These individuals’ fish on Corps-managed waterways but are unable to lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense purposes. These are often remote, rural areas with no law-enforcement presence to deter or prosecute crime.” — Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas)
- “An individual who is lawfully carrying a firearm should not be forced to disarm simply because they crossed an invisible federal line.” — Pat Fallon, Rep. (Texas)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No response from Secretary Driscoll or the Department of the Army is included in the available sources, leaving the agency’s position on the request undocumented.
Implications for Public Land Access
If implemented, the rule would place USACE lands on parity with the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management regarding firearm carriage. Recreational users could legally carry firearms for self-defense and wildlife protection, potentially altering safety dynamics on Corps-managed campsites, trails, and waterways.
What’s Next
The letter explicitly calls for “immediate” finalization and implementation of the rule. Future actions will depend on the Army’s review of the request and any subsequent guidance issued by the Secretary of the Army.
