WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has introduced an amendment to the “Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014,” S. 2363, that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms on Army Corps recreational property. Wicker is a cosponsor of the Sportsmen’s bill, which is currently being debated in the Senate.

“Under current law, the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment are not being extended to law-abiding Americans who camp, hunt, or fish on Army Corps land,” Wicker said. “This policy has discouraged use of the 11.7 million acres, 460 lakes, and nearly 500 recreational areas that are owned or managed by the Corps. My amendment would safeguard citizens’ constitutional freedom to keep and bear arms on Corps land.”

The Wicker amendment would ensure that Corps policy is consistent with the policy already in effect at national parks and refuges. It would clarify that the Corps may not issue a regulation that prohibits individuals from possessing a firearm at a water resources development project if possession of that firearm complies with the law of the state in which the project is located.

The amendment is cosponsored by Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.

S. 2363, the underlying bill, also includes a Wicker provision that would allow hunters to obtain a Federal Duck Stamp online at no additional cost to the government. It would make the electronic duck stamp available in all 50 states. A portion of the proceeds from the electronic duck stamp would go toward conservation efforts.

“Utilizing technology would make attaining a duck stamp more efficient and cost-effective,” Wicker said. “The ‘Duck Stamp Act’ would also support conservation efforts to preserve Mississippi’s natural beauty.”

Background

During his 20 years in Congress and seven in the Mississippi State Senate, Wicker has a 100 percent voting record in favor of Second Amendment rights. He has an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association.