Change US Army Corps of Engineers firearms policy

[couzin]

I posted this on another forum - but maybe a few folks from the Great State of Texas would care to join in...

Send the USACE Commanding General a letter on changing the firearms policies

I know folks are working on changing the National Park Service policy regarding licensed firearms / permit holders - but maybe a few folks would be willing to join me in letting the US Army Corps of Engineers that their firearms policy for their parks and reservoirs is out of date and also needs to be changed. If the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management permit the carrying of licensed weapons, then the Corps should review its regulations with an eye toward changes that reflect the growing number of States that have right to carry laws. It doesn't makes sense that Corps parks and lands that adjoin US Forest Service lands would make someone disarm before crossing the boundary. Please write to:

Office of the Chief of Engineers
Attention: LtG Carl A. Strock, Commanding
2600 Army Pentagon (DAEN-ZC)
Room 2D221A
Washington, DC 20310-2600

Come on folks - send a letter, send a postcard. The written word carries more weight than an email that will probably be deleted. Let the General know that the policy was put in place long ago and does not match other public land managing agencies (disregarding NPS for now), and that the policy and regulation needs review. If General Strock sees enough letters from the Corps parks and land using public - it will get some attention.

Here is the particular section from the regulation:

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
CHAPTER III--CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

PART 327--RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUBLIC USE OF WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS--Table of Contents

Sec. 327.13 Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks.

(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:
(1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
(2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under Sec. 327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;
(3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or
(4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander.
(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander. [65 FR 6901, Feb. 11, 2000]

And here is a link to the general regulations:

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wais ... 27_01.html

[longtooth]

I will send a letter. Right now the wife is on the way home & 3 generations of us are headed for the range. Me & the wife, Son, & grandson. Just heard the car door slam. happy Thanksgiving.

[Piney]

Greetings--

I just wrote a letter to USACE Commander a letter experessing my concern regarding their firearms policy. I also wrote a similar letter to the Commander of the Ft Worth District.

In these letters, I used the wording "licensed" frequently in an attempt to highlight the difference in just carrying a firearm and a licenced person carrying.

I'll follow up if I get any responces.

[couzin]

Thank you both - and anyone else that took this up. Silly policy and out of date!

[Piney]

Anyone have any updates on this topic ? I received emails confirming the receipt of the 2 leters I sent- but nothing else.

We plan to spend a good amount of time
at various lakes this summer-- some of which are Corps properties. Its gonna be a pain......


R&R

[couzin]

I have nothing. It probably will be a long process to get anything changed.

[AG-EE]

It will probably take me becoming Supreme Ruler of the Planet to get that policy changed, but I'll send a letter in the mean time :)