Provision Protects 2nd Amendment Rights on Certain Public Lands

On October 24th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment sponsored by Utah Congressman Rob Bishop that will ensure there will be no federal infringement of Second Amendment rights on certain public lands. The provision, which came in the form of the Republican Motion to Recommit on H.R. 1483, a bill to expand and create certain National Heritage Areas, stipulates that all designated lands within these areas would be exclusively governed by state and local laws regarding hunting, fishing, and the possession or use of a weapon, trap, or net.

“What we’re basically saying is that on these public lands, state and local firearm and hunting laws come first and will be enforced,” Congressman Bishop said. “This amendment makes an important clarification that local and state ordinances will have primacy, and that the rights which so many have enjoyed on these lands for generations will not be threatened by federal action.”

According to Congressman Bishop, “This was a win for states’ rights and for individual rights.”The Bishop language was added to the underlying legislation, the Celebrating America’s Heritage Act, by a vote of 344-71. H.R. 1483, as amended, now heads to the U.S. Senate for further action.

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