ACOE land and federal HR 1865

[RHenriksen]

This should get plenty of people here (and around the country!) excited:

http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=15125

http://gibbs.house.gov/press-release/co ... efense-act

[74novaman]

This is excellent!

[Greybeard]

Thanks for posting. Good to see it's a possibility, maybe soon.

[Jasonw560]

The Second Amendment is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of safety for all of our constituents

The Second Amendment is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of safety for all of our constituents

The Second Amendment is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of safety for all of our constituents

[RPB]

On this exact issue:

In the past, I spammed/contacted every U.S. Congressman from every State, Texas ones replied that they support the Second Amendment ..... not much more

Other States replied "You don't live here ... go away"

I posted this and other forums (in many other States too)

I annoyed the Fort Worth, Galveston and other ACOE District offices, and the Georgetown office until they "put me on ignore" and even won't reply to my requests for maps of their various property boundaries so I'm sure not to trespass where I'm unwelcome and would become a criminal under State law for something perfectly legal under State law.

Alice Tripp from TSRA contacted me for more info once or twice, and took that to the NRA, IIRC, Charles asked about it prior to a meeting a time or two also. I think Alice told me once that whoever she talked to said something like "No one in Texas ever got arrested for it, so it must not be a problem" .... I didn't want to be a test case.

I have no idea if any of that mattered or not, but whether that legislation actually goes through or not, which MIGHT force Army to revise regulations, (there's some Army procedure required to be followed to do it) ...I'd like to thank Alice and Charles and anyone else who brought the "problem" out into daylight.

[chasfm11]

We would be thrilled to see this pass and get signed into law. I'm not holding my breath, however. I figure that the only way that this kind of bill would ever pass today is to amend it to a COE appropriations bill.

It is always a good idea to introduce legislation like this and I'm going to be sure to include it in my next letter to my Congressman.

I'll keep watching, fingers crossed.

[BrianSW99]

We would be thrilled to see this pass and get signed into law. I'm not holding my breath, however. I figure that the only way that this kind of bill would ever pass today is to amend it to a COE appropriations bill.

They apparently don't have the same rules on amendments being germane to bills as we have here in Texas. Remember, we got the National Park carry passed on Obama's credit card reform act.

Brian

[Bullwhip]

We always had national forests, we got national parks, this fixes Corps land (and water? anyone know?).

Any other fed land we need to work on, BLM maybe? BLM is out west, I think they allow shooting, not sure.

[RPB]

:rock"

We always had national forests, we got national parks, this fixes Corps land (and water? anyone know?).

Any other fed land we need to work on, BLM maybe? BLM is out west, I think they allow shooting, not sure.

(Back years ago when I wrote about this to John (Prior to the Credit card bill which allowed National Park carry........ they ignored, or were unaware of US ACOE, or couldn't "fix it" at THAT time)

From JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

Dear Mr. B:

Thank you for contacting me about federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

It is essential to safeguard law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.

As you may know, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service allow the transporting and carrying of firearms on federal lands in accordance with the laws of the host state where these two agencies manage lands.

However, the National Parks Service (NPS) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are governed by separate federal statutes and have developed differing sets of firearms regulations.

I believe the inconsistency in firearms regulations on federal lands is confusing and burdensome to those who enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, I will continue to support legislation to require both the NPS and the FWS to honor host state gun laws that govern firearm possession.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind should the Senate consider relevant legislation during the 111th Congress. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

Also, years ago:

Useless Letter from US Senator Troy Fraser:

....... Here's the US Army Corps of engineers' website if you want to research. I've printed a list from the website of all the Army Corps of Engineers Texas lakes.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of service.


Troy Fraser
State Senator

National Wildlife Refuges:

National Wildlife Refuges


National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. I emailed the Mc Fadden Wildlife Refuge and asked if it was now legal to conceal carry if you have the correct and uptodate license and got this response.

Mr.B

As of now if you have a current Texas Concealed Weapons permit you are allowed to carry on NWR. In addition, any violations of the state law will be taken in account. I suggest that you review the state statutes and I hope that you have a nice time on the refuge. If you have any further questions please contact me at this email address or the numbers listed below.

Thank you,

Chris Davis
Refuge Law Enforcement Officer
Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex
509 Washington St. Box # 278
Anahuac, Texas 77514
O: 409-267-3337
C: 409-370-7367
F: 409-267-4314

(This is copied, by permission, from Redyaker who posted it at the TexasKayakFisherman forum ... many CHLs launch kayaks and fish there)

And the USACOE affects Texas State Parks and even CITY Parks A concealed handgun in your car in the PARKING LOT at some CITY parks in Georgetown is ILLEGAL since it is ACOE land. (AMAZING, since it isn't illegal at the Elementary school parking lot !!! the Federal GFSZ Act has exemption for CHLs ... yet there are fewer rattlesnakes at the Elementary school I'd need to protect children from ... than at the CITY park !!! And who knows what danger lurks in parking lots in Parks out in the country... carjackers/pedophiles/kidnappers come to mind. ).... "I hear banjos, paddle faster" (Deliverance movie)

The TPWD legal division has been in contact with the COE and researched the issue of carrying concealed on a state park leased from the COE.

I have been informed by the legal division at TPWD that the letter by Mr. Carter Smith was in error and that it is indeed illegal to carry a firearm in a TEXAS STATE PARK leased by TPWD from the COE, as per federal laws. State parks NOT on COE properties are legal for concealed carry. So, if you visit a park, you should verify first if it is COE lands and if it is, carrying on the park will be illegal. This also apparently goes for keeping a firearm in your vehicle. Although keeping a firearm in your vehicle is legal under state laws, the Federal law prevails. The Georgetown USACOE office advises that guns are not allowed in vehicles at the parking lots (Whether carried under MPA or CHL) CITY parks which are owned by US ACOE and leased to the City of Georgetown.

Understand, a federal law would have to be enforced by federal law enforcement officers. So, it is not likely that you would get a ticket for carrying on COE lands. But, if you have to use the firearm for defensive purposes you would be subject to federal law and I would presume open yourself up to Federal Criminal Charges as a result.

I am not giving legal advice nor am I recommending carrying illegally. I am only laying out the law as it has been explained to me.

Since Carter Smith, Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., said to ask Wes Masur any further questions, and questions exist about being in say Lake Whitney State Park and Launching a kayak into U S Army COE Lake Whitney itself, or Lake Granger or Georgetown or Ray Roberts or other USACOE lakes...etc etc

TPWD Response to being asked about such situations:

TPWD Response is:

Sir,
Thanks for your question. Since you are on the waters operated and
managed by the COE you would be required to abide by their rules and
laws, therefore this would be a question for them. As I understand it,
you would not be allowed to carry a weapon on their waterway.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance,
Wes Masur
Director, State Park Law Enforcement
512-389-8001 Office
512-389-8559 Fax

So, currently Federal Government (ACOE) law/regulations is exercising control over Texas Riparian (water) rights on navigable waters in these ACOE areas..

When "guns in boats" (HB 25) passes and people go to any USACOE lakes in Texas ... and there are many ... they will be criminals under Federal law, though it will be perfectly legal under Texas law.... These "MPA-type" carriers don't study the laws as much as us "CHL-type" carriers ... so maybe we'll get a "test case" soon ... I wasn't willing to be the test case.

Would be great if they just fix the ACOE (and post offices which showed a loss due to fewer customers, hey, you banned me ... so I use FedEx and UPS... stop complaining about loss of business if you ban customers.)

[RPB]

You know ... I haven't really contacted all the NEW Representatives we elected last time ...

This is a HOUSE Resolution, and we have a lot of new ones

If you would like to contact The Texas ...U.S. Representatives + Senators (Feel free to use any info I posted above, and ask them to support federal HR 1865



Representatives (HOUSE Resolution) HR 1865
Scroll down to Texas here http://www.house.gov/representatives/#state_tn
http://sessions.house.gov/
http://carter.house.gov/
http://ebjohnson.house.gov/
http://cuellar.house.gov/
http://farenthold.house.gov/
http://burgess.house.gov/
http://marchant.house.gov/
http://canseco.house.gov/
http://doggett.house.gov/
http://olson.house.gov/index.html
http://lamarsmith.house.gov/
http://www.gonzalez.house.gov/
http://randy.house.gov/index.html
http://jacksonlee.house.gov/
http://flores.house.gov/
http://hinojosa.house.gov/
http://reyes.house.gov/
http://paul.house.gov/
http://www.thornberry.house.gov/
http://kaygranger.house.gov/index.html
http://conaway.house.gov/
http://www.house.gov/algreen/
http://www.house.gov/brady/
http://joebarton.house.gov/Default.aspx ( a co-sponsor of the bill already, if you want to thank him)
http://culberson.house.gov/
http://hensarling.house.gov/
http://ralphhall.house.gov/
http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/
http://poe.house.gov/
http://gohmert.house.gov/ ( a co-sponsor of the bill already, if you want to thank him)

If you don't write to ALL Representatives, you can at least write to your OWN Texas U.S Representative ... find YOURS here
http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

So at least write your Rep, and the two Senators.

Texas Senators:
http://hutchison.senate.gov/
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/

Ask them to

Support HR 1865 by Congressman Bob Gibbs (R OH)

[RPB]

I know some of you are thinking
This doesn't affect me, I'm interested in "Local" not Federal

But this is actually "more local" than National Parks/State Parks.

Just a few examples:

If you're in Houston
Addicks dam/Barker dam reservoirs and the Harris County Park there .... are on US ACOE land
(Some Galveston County areas too are USACOE http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/ )

If you're near Waco
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/waco/r ... vareas.asp

If you're in Dallas/Fort Worth/Austin, or elsewhere in Texas ... etc
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/cgi-bi ... Recreation

See here for other areas of Texas
here's the LAKE map, and that doesn't even include all "recreational/camping areas/COUNTY/CITY PARKS
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visito ... m?state=TX


To most Texans concerned about gas prices ... this is BIGGER / should be more important, than National Parks as it is more "local". I mean it affects some city/county parks too ...

PLUS, it affects travel to other States, so we could carry in other States on USACOE land if State reciprocity is there.. http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm

[RPB]

By the way, if you have a friend who starts carrying in a boat because Texas HB 25 passes ... and they head to one of the above lakes .... you might want to tell/warn them)

Also, there are almost too many to count of smaller US ACOE "reservoirs" ponds/small lakes "soil conservation/water conservation reservoirs... all over Texas, not even listed on those maps, where people with guns can't go fishing right now.... probably as many or more of those than there are ponds/water hazards on all golf courses in Texas.

[RHenriksen]

Emailed both Texas senators this morning :-)

[RPB]

I e-mailed the 2 Senators, and Mike Conaway, my Representative, before going to Church; I'll e-mail other Reps later tonight. It isn't like we are asking them to work ... just to sign on to the Ohio Rep's resolution, which will greatly benefit Texas with thousands of new acres of recreational areas we can use which our Taxes already paid for, but we are currently banned... even though we pay taxes to stock fish and maintain the areas every year...

[MeMelYup]

I wonder how much of our ammunition and gun tax goes to ACOE?