Firearms at Army Corps Water Resource
Projects: Proposed Legislation and
Issues for Congress
Nicole T. Carter
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
January 27, 2015
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R42602
Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
Summary
As part of its civil works mission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages water resource
projects. Areas behind and below Corps dams, and Corps navigation locks and their pools, are
popular recreation sites, attracting 370 million visits annually. Corps projects include some of the
most densely used federal recreation sites. Currently, Title 36, Section 327, of the Code of
Federal Regulations sets out the regulations for public use of Corps projects. Section 327.13
generally prohibits possession of loaded firearms by private (i.e., non-law enforcement)
individuals at Corps-administered projects unless the firearms are being used for hunting at
designated sites (with devices required to be unloaded while transported to and from the sites) or
at authorized shooting ranges. The regulation applies at projects regardless of their location in
states allowing open or concealed carry of loaded firearms.
Legislation proposed in the 113th Congress (e.g., H.R. 2046, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense
Act; Section 103 of S. 1335, the Sportsmen’s Act) would have banned the Secretary of the Army
from promulgating or enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from possessing firearms
(including assembled or functional firearms) at Corps projects. The proposed language would
have required firearms possession to comply with state law. Supporters saw the proposed
legislation addressing a patchwork of regulations restricting firearms on federal lands, providing
consistency for open and concealed firearms possession within a state, and facilitating
recreational shooting and self-defense. They argued that enactment would result in Corps policies
consistent with Section 512 of P.L. 111-24, which made it legal for individuals to possess firearms
at National Park Service (NPS) and National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) units of the
Department of the Interior (DOI). Other stakeholders were concerned that banning Corps
promulgation and enforcement of its firearms regulations would produce unintended public safety
and infrastructure security issues.
The issue for the 114th Congress is not only whether to alter the Corps firearms regulations but
also how to maintain public safety and infrastructure security at Corps projects.
• Critical facilities security: Proposed legislation in the 113th Congress did not
explicitly provide authority to restrict firearms at Corps facilities (e.g., dams) or
in specifically designated areas. Although it did not explicitly provide this
authority, the proposed legislation would not have altered existing law (18 U.S.C.
§930) restricting firearms at a “federal facility.”
• Public safety and law enforcement: No armed federal law enforcement officers
are commissioned for public safety and security purposes at Corps projects.
Corps rangers issue citations for regulatory violations and are not allowed to
carry firearms. Most law enforcement is provided by local and state personnel.
DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation is faced with similar safety and security issues at its water resource
projects. It allows possession of firearms on Reclamation lands and waterbodies (e.g., reservoirs
behind dams) when such possession complies with federal, state, and local law; hunting is
similarly allowed unless an area has been closed for public use or has been designated as a
special-use area. Firearms are restricted at Reclamation facilities (e.g., dams and buildings). DOI
and Reclamation use multiple authorities and mechanisms to provide for armed and unarmed law
enforcement and public safety and security.
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
Contents
Current and Proposed Corps Firearms Policy .................................................................................. 1
Public Use and Access at Corps Projects ................................................................................... 1
Current Corps Firearms and Hunting Regulations .................................................................... 2
Proposed Corps Firearms Legislation ........................................................................................ 3
Corps Firearms Policy and Related Security and Safety Issues....................................................... 4
Public Access to Critical Facilities ............................................................................................ 4
Law Enforcement Authority ...................................................................................................... 4
Economic Costs and Benefits .................................................................................................... 5
Comparison with Reclamation Firearms Policies ............................................................................ 6
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Tables
Table 1. Current Firearms Regulations, Proposals Considered During the 113th Congress,
and Related Public Access and Law Enforcement Authorities for Corps and
Reclamation Projects .................................................................................................................... 7
Contacts
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................. 8
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
Current and Proposed Corps Firearms Policy
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous water resource projects, such as dams and
locks, across the United States. Many of these projects include facilities critical to managing
floodwaters, supporting navigation, and producing hydropower. Many of these projects are
popular recreation sites. Current Corps regulations prohibit loaded firearms by private individuals
at Corps projects unless they will be used for hunting or at designated shooting ranges. The
regulation applies at Corps projects regardless of their location in states allowing open or
concealed carry of loaded firearms.1
Legislation in the 113th Congress was introduced to ban promulgation and enforcement of
regulations that prohibit private individuals from possessing firearms (including assembled or
functional firearms) at a Corps project. Congress has enacted similar language to end firearms
restrictions on other federal lands. This report examines the potential extension of these policies
to Corps projects. It discusses the current regulations, related legislative proposals, and firearms-
related safety and security issues at Corps projects. The report also compares the Corps’
regulations with regulations and practices of the Department of the Interior’s (DOI’s) Bureau of
Reclamation, which also operates water resources projects with significant recreation.
Corps firearms regulations and their enforcement are the subject of ongoing lawsuits.2 During the
five years FY2008 through FY2012, warnings for firearms, explosives, other weapons, and
fireworks averaged 33 annually from an average annual total of 22,207 warnings, whereas similar
citations averaged 21 annually from an annual average of 2,195.3
Public Use and Access at Corps Projects
Most Corps water resources projects are constructed primarily to produce economic and public
safety benefits through promoting navigation and reducing exposure to flood waters. Congress, in
multiple laws, also has provided the Corps with authorities to support other activities at its
projects. Consequently, Corps projects such as dams are often multipurpose. That is, they produce
hydroelectric power and store water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural use as well as
provide navigation and flood damage reduction. Congress also gave the Corps authority to
support some recreation at its projects.4
In carrying out its water resources mission, the Corps is responsible for 12 million acres of land
and waters, including 422 lake and river projects with recreation, 92,844 campsites, 7,700 miles
1 For more information on concealed carry, see CRS Report R42099, Federal Laws and Legislation on Carrying
Concealed Firearms: An Overview, by Vivian S. Chu. For more information on gun control legislation, see CRS
Report R42987, Gun Control Legislation in the 113th Congress, by William J. Krouse.
2 Tracking these lawsuits is beyond the scope of this report’s discussion of legislative responses to Corps regulations.
More information on one of these cases, Morris et al vs. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers et al, can be found at
http://ia800902.us.archive.org/4/items/gov.uscourts.idd.32180/gov.uscourts.idd.32180.docket.html. Pursuant to a recent
judgment in this case, the Corps is enjoined from enforcing its regulation on Corps lands in Idaho. The Corps has
appealed.
3 Email from Corps of Engineers staff, September 17, 2013.
4 Section 4 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-534), as amended; Federal Water Project Recreation Act, 1965,
(P.L. 89-72), as amended; §103(c)(4) and §103(e) of Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-662); §2804
of Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustments Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-575).
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
of trails, and 3,544 boat launches. Corps projects provide 33% of U.S. freshwater available for
lake fishing.5 Some Corps lands and waters are open for hunting, and there are a small number of
authorized shooting ranges. Corps projects receive 370 million recreational visits annually,
making its projects the most visited of any single federal agency’s sites;6 that is, the Corps hosts
20% of the visits to federal recreation areas on 2% of the federal lands. One reason for the high
visitation is close proximity to population centers: 90% of Corps recreation areas are within 50
miles of a metropolitan area. Examples of Corps projects with significant public use are
reservoirs at multipurpose dams (e.g., Lake Lanier (GA), Lake Texoma (OK and TX), and
Missouri River mainstem dams) and navigation locks.
Current Corps Firearms and Hunting Regulations
Currently, Title 36, Section 327, of the Code of Federal Regulations sets out the regulations for
public use of Corps projects. Section 327.13 prohibits private (i.e., non-law enforcement)
individuals from possessing loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows
and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons at Corps-administered water resource projects, unless
they are being used
• for hunting (with devices unloaded when being transported to hunting sites),
• at authorized shooting ranges, or
• with written permission of the Corps District Commander.
Under these regulations, the firearms are to remain unloaded in recreation areas such as
campgrounds. The regulation applies at projects regardless of their location in states allowing
open or concealed carry of loaded firearms. The Corps enforces the regulations on land and
waters that it owns in fee; it does not enforce them on floodways under easement or on levees that
are not on fee land. Corps regulations currently do not directly address discharge of firearms at
Corps projects; that is, the regulations are related to possession, not use of the firearm. Visitors,
however, cannot comply with Section 327.13 if they possess (or discharge) a loaded firearm when
not hunting or using the firearm at an authorized shooting range.
The regulations for hunting at Corps projects are set out in a separate section, Title 36, Section
327.8, of the Code of Federal Regulations, which states that “hunting is permitted except in areas
and during periods where prohibited by the District Commander” and “all applicable Federal,
State and local laws regulating these activities apply on project lands and waters, and shall be
regulated by authorized enforcement officials as prescribed in 327.26.” For safety reasons (e.g.,
proximity of homes and buildings, presence of non-hunting recreational users), hunting is not
allowed on much of the land and waters associated with Corps water resources projects. Hunting
is often restricted to those project areas designated for wildlife purposes. While state hunting and
wildlife laws apply in these areas, Corps rangers do not enforce these state laws.
According to Title 16, Section 460d of the United States Code and its implementing regulations in
Title 36, Section 327.25, of the Code of Federal Regulations, persons designated by the District
Commander (i.e., Corps rangers) can write citations for violations of the recreation regulations.
The citation can require “any person charged with the violation to appear before the United States
5 Army Corps of Engineers, Information Paper: Civil Works Program Statistics, 2013.
6 The National Park Service receives approximately 285 million recreation visits annually.
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
Magistrate within whose jurisdiction the affected water resources development projects is
located”; the violation “may be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment for
not more than six months or both.”7
Proposed Corps Firearms Legislation
Legislation proposed in the 113th Congress (e.g., H.R. 2046, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense
Act, and Section 103 of S. 1335, the Sportsmen’s Act)8 would have banned the Secretary of the
Army from promulgating or enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from possessing
firearms (including assembled or functional firearms) at Corps projects. The proposed language
would have required that possession comply with state law and that the individual not be
otherwise prohibited from possessing firearms.
Enactment of the legislative language proposed in the 113th Congress would have allowed private
individuals to carry loaded and/or concealed firearms at all Corps projects. Individuals would
bear responsibility for knowing and complying with all applicable concealed carry laws of the
state or states in which the water resources development project is located. The legislation would
not have distinguished between handguns and other firearms, such as long guns (rifles and
shotguns). The proposed legislation was similar to language enacted for the Department of the
Interior in 2009 under Section 512 of P.L. 111-24, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility
and Disclosure Act of 2009. P.L. 111-24 made it legal for individuals to possess firearms at
National Park Service (NPS) and National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) units.9
Supporters of the proposed legislation saw enactment as part of a larger, ongoing effort to
improve the consistency of laws and regulations concerning firearms on federally managed lands.
They also saw the proposed legislation as providing for consistent treatment of open and
concealed firearms possession within a state, providing for recreational shooting and self-defense,
and protecting the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Other
stakeholders raised concerns that the proposed legislation ignored implementation challenges at
Corps projects that are not generally faced at NPS and NWRS units (e.g., presence of critical
facilities, limited law enforcement authority) and that enactment could have produced unintended
public safety and infrastructure security issues. The Administration took no official position on
the proposed legislation.
7 The punishment does not apply to failure to pay authorized recreation use fees, and is decided by the Magistrate.
8 S. 1335 had numerous provisions related to federal lands and firearms. Only §103 explicitly related to Corps projects.
No expressions of intent to have other sections of the bill apply to the Corps were made; perspectives on whether other
sections of the bill applied to the Corps may have depended largely on the interpretation of whether the Corps was
included within the bill’s definition of “Federal public land.” This report discusses only §103 of the bill.
9 The law did not change existing regulatory prohibitions on the use of firearms at these units (36 C.F.R. §2.4).
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
Corps Firearms Policy and Related Security and
Safety Issues
Public Access to Critical Facilities
The Corps and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regard some Corps infrastructure as
critical to homeland security and the economy;10 these structures include multipurpose dams and
major navigation locks. Many of these facilities require additional protection measures in times of
heightened homeland security concerns. Currently, public access and recreation is allowed at or
near many of these structures. At issue is whether enactment of legislation similar to the proposals
in the 113th Congress may complicate or hamper the Corps’ ability to maintain the security of
these facilities given the Corps’ limited law enforcement authority.11
Legislation considered in the 113th Congress did not explicitly address the Corps’ authority to
restrict firearms at Corps facilities. While not explicitly providing for such authority, the ban on
implementing Title 36, Section 327.0, of the Code of Federal Regulations would not have altered
existing federal law (18 U.S.C. §930) restricting firearms at a “federal facility.” However, existing
Corps regulations (36 C.F.R. §327.12) delegate authority to the Commander of the Corps District
in which a project is located to close or restrict portions of a project as necessitated, including for
public safety.
The implication of a ban on the promulgation and enforcement of existing Corps regulations on
the agency’s ability to prohibit firearms in restricted areas is unclear. If a ban similar to the
proposals from the 113th Congress is enacted, the Corps may need to review safety and security
vulnerabilities at its projects and may restrict public access and recreation in more areas if it
cannot restrict the public’s ability to carry loaded firearms.
Law Enforcement Authority12
Although Congress has given the Corps authority to regulate conduct at its projects, it has not
provided the Corps with authority to perform many typical law enforcement functions, including
the ability of rangers to carry firearms, make arrests, and execute search warrants.13 Part of the
10 Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, DHS Risk Assessment Efforts in Dams Sector, OIG-
11-110, Washington, DC, September 2011, http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/mgmt/oig_11-110_sep11.pdf.
11 18 U.S.C. §930 restricts firearms at federal facilities; “federal facility” is “a building or part thereof owned or leased
by the federal government, where Federal employees are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official
duties.” Many Corps facilities, such as locks, dams, levees and exposed hydropower elements, may not qualify as a
building. Enforcement of 18 U.S.C. §930 is beyond the limited authority of Corps rangers.
12 There is no single all-purpose definition of a law enforcement officer; rather, Congress specifically authorizes
agencies to designate officials to perform certain law enforcement functions. After reviewing various law enforcement
authorization statutes, the Government Accountability Office identified four statutorily authorized functions typically
performed by law enforcement officers. The functions are (1) to conduct criminal investigations; (2) to execute search
warrants; (3) to make arrests; and (4) to carry firearms. See Government Accountability Office, Federal Law
Enforcement: Survey of Federal Civilian Law Enforcement Functions and Authorities, GAO-07-121, Dec. 2006,
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07121.pdf.
13 The vast majority of Corps personnel, and of particular importance Corps rangers, are civilians (22,600 civilians to
300 military personnel), with few if any military officers regularly present at Corps water resources projects. The
civilian nature of Corps law enforcement at water resources projects alleviates most concerns related to military
personnel enforcing domestic law.
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Legislation and Issues
way that the Corps has maintained public safety and infrastructure security at its projects with this
limited law enforcement authority has been to restrict the public’s authority to carry loaded
firearms. While some stakeholders may view the ability to possess loaded firearms as expanding
the law enforcement challenge at Corps projects, others view the limitations on the Corps’ law
enforcement authorities as a reason for private individuals to be able to carry loaded firearms for
self-defense.
The Corps’ limited law enforcement authority contrasts with the authority that Congress has
explicitly granted to the Department of the Interior. DOI has authority to designate officers with
the full range of law enforcement functions. Thus, when P.L. 111-24 made it legal for individuals
to possess firearms at NPS and NWRS units, public safety and security at those sites could be
enforced by personnel with the full range of law enforcement functions, including the authority to
carry arms, make arrests without warrants, execute warrants, and conduct investigations.14
In contrast, Congress has limited enforcement by Corps rangers to issuing citations for violations
of regulations.15 Corps rangers principally have land management functions with duties related to
recreation and natural resources management (e.g., fisheries and wildlife biologist, and forester).
Full police power at Corps projects, including the power to enforce state and local laws and place
persons under arrest, is solely exercised by state and local authorities. Consequently, the Corps
relies on the assistance and cooperation of local and state law enforcement through cooperative
agreement or contracts during peak visitation periods for maintaining public safety. The Corps’
contract authority for these law enforcement services nationally (42 U.S.C §1962d-5d) is limited
to $10 million annually. Current Corps authority does not allow the agency to authorize state or
local authorities to enforce federal law or regulations, such as federal firearms law, at Corps
projects.
The legislative proposals from the 113th Congress, if enacted, would have made no change to law
enforcement authorities for the Corps. That is, no armed federal law enforcement authorities
responsible for maintaining public safety and security would be at Corps projects, which would
be a continuation of the status quo. Corps rangers would remain unarmed; volunteers and those
working as concessionaire contractors at Corps projects also would not be allowed to carry
firearms. The agency has not evaluated whether additional law enforcement assistance and
funding to obtain this assistance may be needed to maintain public safety and security if private
individuals are allowed to carry loaded firearms at Corps projects.
Economic Costs and Benefits
No assessment has been made publicly available of the financial costs16 and potential benefits
associated with changes to Corps firearms policies. Costs may include
• one-time costs, such as updated signage and brochures and review of firearms-
related safety and security vulnerabilities;
• periodic costs, such as public outreach and personnel training; and
14 For example, see 16 U.S.C. §1a-6(b).
15 Corps citation authority is codified at 16 U.S.C. 460d.
16 No Congressional Budget Office cost estimate is available for the proposed legislation.
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• long-term costs, such as increased number and value of contracts with local and
state law enforcement.
The direct effects of altering Corps firearms possession regulations may include changes to the
recreational behavior, use, and experience at Corps projects; these changes can be challenging to
quantify in economic terms. The Congressional Research Service found no data on anticipated
recreational and use changes and associated economic benefits that may result from enactment of
a ban similar to the proposals from the 113th Congress.
Comparison with Reclamation Firearms Policies
Like Corps projects, many of DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation water resources projects are sites of
both significant infrastructure and public recreation and access. Currently, Reclamation facilities
are governed differently than those of the Corps with respect to the regulation of firearms and law
enforcement in several important ways. Table 1 summarizes the current regulations, proposed
firearms regulations under a ban similar to the legislative proposals from the 113th Congress, and
related public access and law enforcement authorities for Corps and Reclamation water resources
projects.
Reclamation regulations (43 C.F.R. §423.30) allow firearm possession in compliance with
federal, state, and local law on Reclamation lands and waterbodies, with two exceptions:
• possession is not permitted at or in a Reclamation facility (e.g., dam, building),
and
• prohibitions and regulations may apply in designated special-use areas.17
Unlike the Corps’ current regulations, these Reclamation regulations distinguish between lands
and waterbodies (i.e., areas used for recreation) and facilities. At facilities (e.g., buildings, dams,
electric power facilities, switchyards, recreation facilities, fish and wildlife facilities), firearms are
prohibited. At Reclamation lands and waterbodies, firearms are allowed to the extent provided by
applicable federal, state, and local law. Therefore, the possession of loaded firearms by private
individuals is allowed at most of a Reclamation project’s land and water footprint, whereas
current Corps regulations allow such possession only at the limited areas designated for hunting
and shooting at Corps projects.
Reclamation regulations (43 C.F.R. §423.30(b)) restrict discharge of a weapon unless for hunting
or at an authorized shooting or archery range; discharge must also be in compliance with federal,
state, and local law. Neither current Corps regulations nor the proposed legislation explicitly
address the discharge of weapons. Reclamation regulations (43 C.F.R. §423.32) permit hunting on
Reclamation lands and waterbodies in accordance with federal, state, and local laws unless the
area has been closed for public use or has been designated as a special-use area.18 In November
2001, in Section 1 of the Reclamation Recreation Management Act of 1992 (P.L. 107-69),
17 The basis for the regulations is 43 U.S.C. §373b.
18 In order to designate an area as a special use are, according to Reclamation regulations (43 C.F.R. §423.60) an
authorized official finds the designation is necessary for protection of public health and safety, protection and
preservation of cultural and natural resources, protection of environmental and scenic values, scientific research, the
security of Reclamation facilities, the avoidance of conflict among visitor use activities, or other reasons in the public
interest.
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Congress provided criminal penalties for violation of regulations to maintain law and order and
protect persons and property at Reclamation projects and lands.
Table 1. Current Firearms Regulations, Proposals Considered During the 113th
Congress, and Related Public Access and Law Enforcement Authorities for Corps
and Reclamation Projects
Reclamation
Regulations and
Corps Regulations and
Legislation Considered
Authority
Authority
by the 113th Congress
Unloaded Firearms
Allowed if in compliance
Allowed Allowed
with federal, state, and
local law
Loaded Firearms on Lands Allowed if in compliance
Prohibited
Allowed if in compliance
Not Designated for
with federal, state, and
with state law
Hunting or Shooting
local law
Loaded Firearms at
Prohibited Prohibited No
limitation
specified
Facilities (e.g., dams)
Loaded Firearms in
Restrictions and
Prohibited
No limitation specified
Restricted Areas
prohibitions may apply
Discharge of Weapon
Limited to hunting (except Limited to areas
No limitation specified
(e.g., hunting, shooting
in designated areas) or at
designated for hunting or
ranges)
designated shooting range
shooting
in compliance with federal,
state, and local law
Corps or Reclamation
- Land management
- Land management
No change from current
Rangers
functions (not law
functions (not law
authorities
enforcement)
enforcement)
- May not carry firearms
- May not carry firearms
- Citation authority for
- Citation authority for
violation of regulations
violation of regulations
- No authority to detain
- No authority to detain
or arrest
or arrest
Other Federal Law
DOI personnel authorized
None
No change from current
Enforcement
to perform full suite of law
authorities
enforcement functions
Armed Federal Law
Authorized, limited use
None, no agency authority None, no agency authority
Enforcement
Contracting for (Armed)
- Authorized, used for
- Al owed, except not to
No change from current
State and Local Law
security
enforce federal law or
authorities
Enforcement
- No current contracts for regulations
state or local personnel to - Authorization of
enforce federal laws and
appropriations limited to
regulations at Reclamation
$10 million annual y
property
Source: CRS.
Law enforcement at Reclamation projects can be provided by DOI armed law enforcement
officers, or by other law enforcement personnel through cooperative agreement or contract.
Reclamation and DOI utilize a variety of personnel for security and public safety at Reclamation
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projects:19 federal special agents provided through DOI’s law enforcement authority and
uniformed guards acting as special policemen with law enforcement authority, an armed security
response task force which does not have law enforcement authority, armed state and local law
enforcement personnel, and personnel from private security companies for both armed and
unarmed functions. The vast majority of criminal offenses occurring on Reclamation property,
nonetheless, are handled by state police, sheriff’s offices, or local law enforcement.20 Most law
enforcement functions at Corps projects also are provided by state and local law enforcement
authorities, but the Corps does not have the option of its own department’s or agency’s armed
federal law enforcement personnel. At Reclamation projects (in some contrast to NPS and NWRS
units, which have federal personnel with more law enforcement functions), Reclamation rangers
function much like Corps rangers; both do not have significant law enforcement authority or carry
firearms.
Conclusion
Many Corps projects function as popular recreation sites in addition to providing navigation,
flood damage reduction, hydropower, and other benefits. Current Corps regulations prohibit
loaded firearms by private individuals at Corps projects unless for hunting or at designated
shooting ranges. The 113th Congress considered legislation to ban promulgation and enforcement
of regulations restricting firearms possession at Corps projects. Congress enacted similar
legislation to end firearms possession restrictions on other federal lands, such as NPS and NWRS
units. Related safety and security issues at Corps projects include the ability and need to restrict
firearms at Corps facilities, such as dams, locks, and buildings, and the Corps’ limited law
enforcement authorities. Although some stakeholders may view the ability to possess loaded
firearms as expanding the safety challenges at Corps projects, others may view the limitations on
the Corps’ law enforcement authorities as a reason for private individuals to be able to carry
loaded firearms for self-defense. The issue for the 114th Congress is not only whether to alter the
Corps firearms regulations but also how to maintain public safety and infrastructure security at
Corps projects.
Author Contact Information
Nicole T. Carter
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy
ncarter@crs.loc.gov, 7-0854
19 For example, see 16 U.S.C. §1a-6, 43 U.S.C. §373b(c), and 40 U.S.C. §1315.
20 Email from Bureau of Reclamation staff to CRS (Nicole Carter), June 22, 2012.
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