UPDATE - May 8, 1:30 p.m.: Coburn has withdrawn the amendment that would have required the federal government to register all of its firearms. A spokesman for Coburn told The Huffington Post that the decision was made "as a goodwill gesture" to Boxer, following her criticism of the amendment on Tuesday.
From earlier:
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the Water Resources Development Act on Wednesday, which authoritzes water projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., also wants to add two pro-gun amendments to the equation.
One of the amendments would allow people to carry guns at water resources development projects regulated by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, including outdoor recreational areas where guns are currently forbidden. The other amendment would require federal agencies to register guns and ammunition it owns, purchases or loses within a given year.
From the Huffington Post:
Coburn told The Huffington Post on Tuesday that he had filed the amendment, saying it would be "just like we have everywhere else." In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that allows loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges.
"We're working on a critical infrastructure bill, and the first two Republican amendments are not about jobs, are not about business, are not about commerce -- are about guns!" Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who introduced the Water Resources Development Act, said in a statement on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
Both amendments are scheduled for a vote Wednesday afternoon.
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