Chaffetz wants to take guns away from 'Rambo' BLM, Forest Service agents

Article quote: "Law enforcement agents with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service are too "Rambo" to Rep. Jason Chaffetz's liking, so he wants to take away their guns and authority. "These agents are more Rambo and less Andy Griffith than I would like," he told the Deseret News Tuesday."

Agreed. 100% agreed.

And the comments about saying you might as well try to take guns away from private citizens is ridiculous. Chaffetz isn't saying that and isn't trying to do that. He's only saying that these 2 federal agency representatives don't need to be carrying guns. "More Rambo than Andy Griffith" is exactly right. And I'm about as hard core conservative as you can get.

Leave the policing to trained law enforcement agencies.

This is a perfect example of how good people with good intentions created a government agency that has now become Frankenstein's monster and is turning on its creator and everyone else.

The BLM was created in 1946 by Harry Truman by combining the General Land Office and the Grazing Service. The General Land Office existed to oversee the sale public lands in the west. The Grazing Service was there to facilitate grazing on public lands.

No longer does it sell public lands and facilitate grazing. This dystopian new creation has taken on a life of its own and seeks automatic weaponry to guard its territory. It has mutated from servant to enforcer. Time to pull the plug. Leave law enforcement to law enforcement.

# Frankenstein's Monster
# HAL 9000
# I, Robot
# Ultron

Okay folks, don't kid yourselves by saying it is appropriate for the BLM to have submachine guns. These 'Public Servants' have a knack for making life miserable for a lot of people through the use of misappropriated authority. This includes ranchers, developers, and regular Joe Citizen who owns a few acres. Andy Taylor they are not. I'm thinking more Barney Fife. They overzealously forget about the rights and privileges of the people who pay for their monumental egos. Letting locals police themselves is a principle our country was founded upon. Please don't give up your rights (and mine) so quickly. It is much harder to get them back once they are lost.

Chaffetz continues to miss the mark on just about everything. Add this to the list.

I burst out laughing when I read the headline and lede on this article. As you can tell, I live in Oregon. We are still very much in the throes of the trauma caused by sovereign citizens/militias taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge recently. I need to go the federal courthouse sometimes to file pleadings. Doing so has become a security ordeal since the Bundys and other armed insurrectionists were arrested and charged. On any given day, there are at least a few pro-militia protesters on hand. Last weekend, more than 100 gathered at the jail and courthouse.

So, reading that BLM and Bureau of Land Management agents, who are regularly threatened by the renegades, are the problem is brow raising. A tragiocomedy even. Nor I am impressed that a Congressman believes sovereign citizen sheriffs should be enforcing federal laws. After all, they don't even recognize the federal government as having legal authority in the states.

I know Jason Chaffetz likes to grandstand. But, this is ridiculous even for him.

So: Militarized law enforcement in Ferguson, MO = bad.

Militarized law enforcement by regulatory agencies = good.

It all depends on which side of the cold civil war you're on, I guess.

The federal government has the United States Marshals Service to put armed force behind its rules. If someone seriously needs to get shot (or have guns pointed at him), it's a good check and balance that a bureaucratic agency has to convince the professionals that force needs to be used, rather than just e-mailing its own in-house SWAT team.

Chaffetz is still around? Wow! I thought we voted him out already...
Jason, lets put your work focus on some programs that will actually help people in your district..
I.E. Heroin is a huge problem in your district... Lets work for a solution to the problem before it hits somebody you love!!!!!
Peace...

@ my_two_cents_worth

You need to get your facts straight because clearly you don't realized what military weapons they already have. The BLM is militarized. and they want more.
NO they don't need guns to do what they are supposed to do. And YES they do have a military force.

We should NOT give it to them as abuses are already happening.

I happen to believe that they DO NOT need machine guns at all. Side arms, maybe but how well are they trained? Lets get some light on the required background and training of the BLM and Forresrt Service before letting them be armed so heavy.

More nonsensical grandstanding from Utah's champion of nonsense.

I wonder what Rep. Chaffetz would do if a group of armed "citizens"--whether they were disgruntled Nevada ranchers or Washington D.C. gang members--decided to "occupy" his office in Washington. Would he cheerfully vacate the place? Would he wait for the D.C. police to show up and chat with the fellows? Or would he want the armed Capitol police there on the double?

@NevadaCoug --

" It wasn't the citizens who were pointing guns at the BLM. Those reports were fabricated."

There are photos, Cougar. Videos, even. Personal statements from the participants, on video, and photos and vids of them *while* they were aiming their weapons.

Fabrications? Hardly.

"Many of these ranchers are upset because the BLM is cancelling or altering contracts and agreements that were in place prior to the existence of the BLM."

And that justifies an armed confrontation with federal officials?

Many posters are spouting off about the Bundy family and other ranchers without understanding the facts.

Many of these ranchers are upset because the BLM is cancelling or altering contracts and agreements that were in place prior to the existence of the BLM.

Making comments like Bundy is a "welfare king" is just pure ignorance. What many of you fail to understand is this: Cliven Bundy tried to pay his grazing fees. The BLM refused to accept them because Bundy would not reduce his herd to a size that was untenable. Complying with the BLM's illegal mandate to reduce his herd size would have put him out of business, as it did every rancher who complied.

It also was the BLM who showed up to Nevada with snipers. It wasn't the citizens who were pointing guns at the BLM. Those reports were fabricated.

Chaffetz is right. The BLM and such groups are not police organizations and should not have heavy weaponry.

and at least one sheriff has publicly threatened them over his own free grazing....

the people of utah would be better served by getting rid of mr. chaffetz.

I have read the comments about the Federal Government being "big brother" over our rural ares as opposed to being "big brother' over the rest of the Utah citizenry.

1) the land in question doesn't belong to Utah.

2) There are laws in place so obey them or change them.

3) Lawsuits are not the way to reach an agreement with the Federal Government.

I some time wonder if secession might really be best for Utah as a State. That would end the laws suits and the Federal money in one fell swoop. Firearms would be legal to carry in the Utah State Legislature. I can see it now. The Utah State Senators are discussing a bill about their inherent power versus the limited power of the electorate. Just as one Senator clears his voice to exclaim how only the legislators can rightfully govern (HB 220) you hear a few rifle and pistol clicks from the upper viewing chamber. The senator quickly changes his mind and sits down?!! WOW what a epiphany!!

This has to be classic Utah double talk. Chaffetz is the first one to claim that all citizens can carry a concealed weapon anywhere, including church, school and work place. No permit needed. Now he wants to disarm Federal agents who are armed to protect the citizenry. He is also the first one to cry to the Federal Government for money but wants to deny the Federal Government the right to make rules in the spending of the money. Hypocrisy is always redefined when a zealot is doing the talking.

Thank you Rep. Chavez for taking a stand on one of the most important issues facing America.

I am sure you have already figured these things out, but it would be helpful to know a bit more about how this will work in practice.

If we disarm Rambo, who is going to stop Predator?

Will Department of Education staffers get to keep the dynamite-tipped arrows that Rambo used to shoot down Soviet helicopters alongside the Mujahideen in Rambo III?

Isn't the Terminator more of a concern in the long run?

What about those huge worm monsters in Tremors? Those have wreaked havoc on my garden in recent years.

And corgis. Once this bill passes, can you PLEASE do something about corgis?

It comes down to who you trust. I no longer believe that U.S. Federal agencies have our (everyday Americans) best interests at heart. I have a lot of friends who work for various Federal agencies. However, our national leaders are more concerned with their ideology than our freedom. Hence the conflict between the BLM and local ranchers. I believe that the situation would be defused if the law enforcement function is done by local authorities, those who are accountable to the people.

Others have made insightful comments on the silliness of this proposal. Let me add that this legislation is being dropped only to placate some vocal constituents and special interest groups. It is going nowhere, and Chaffetz knows it. Most Utahns don't support it.

For once I agree with Obama on GUN CONTROL. Disarming the BLM is a good idea.

We finally found an exception by a Republican to the "more guns by more people in more places"

It is a first.

Mark your calendar.

It's sad when I see a lot of people who live in cities and don't really know what goes on in our areas make so many negative comments on J.C. bill. We are tired of big brother over reaching it's bounds, and agencies like department of education becoming an armed entity. What sense does that make.

The Federal Government has too much power over us. It seems every Department has its own police. The local police has been armed to the teeth by our government. Something has to be done to balance our security and our liberty. I don't know what the solution is, but at least the issue is raised for discussion. Giving the government too much power will eliminate its citizens freedom. There are too many instances where there is little accountability when it comes to police actions.

It's good to have some common representatives with common sense.The BLM and Forest Service are not law enforcement agencies. Chaffetz is right that these agents are redundant. I'm sure some of these agents do good work, but the same things can be done by local law enforcement if given the resources, as Chaffetz proposes. Let the land management agencies worry about land management and let the law enforcement agencies worry about law enforcement. Had the FBI worked through Metro in Las Vegas on the Bundy case, rather than sending in snipers and armed agents, things might have gone much better. But why go through proper channels like normal people when you have a fancy SWAT team just sitting there? You don't want to lose your budget appropriation for next year.

Jason is spot on. We cannot have federal employees armed as if they were in combat in a war zone. We are rapidly becoming a police state with the federal government purchasing guns and ammunition as if they're preparing for WWIII. One Ruby Ridge, Waco or Malheur, OR is one too many. Now we find that federal agents are breaking down doors too collect overdue student loans while Obama is forgiving student loans for others. This is not what our founding fathers had in mind when this country was founded based on our constitution.

When local law enforcement shows up at illegal ATV rides to protect the criminals from BLM law enforcement rather than to enforce the law, they have lost their moral authority to claim the privilege of overseeing these areas. I suspect this has more to do with Rep. Chaffetz eyeing the 2020 Governor's race and needing red meat to throw to the caucus attendees than it has to do with any real or imagined law enforcement issue.

I am really, really, reallly against this. Those who work on public lands need to have weapons to protect themselves from lawbreakers like poachers, artifact thieves, smugglers and marijuana growers.

The Republican leadership continues to insult and defame those who work for our national government and seek to protect the rights of all Americans, not just represent the ebb-and-flow demands of small communities that dot southern Utah. Jason Chaffetz is directing his efforts at the wrong group; his attention should be directed at self-appointed, armed militia of neoconservatives. They represent a real threat to our country and the safety of its citizens.

I recall some years back that my brothers and I were out in the mountains and were approached by a BLM agent. We were armed and so was he. We are law abiding citizens. He wanted to see our guns, I guess to determine whether we were hunting or not. We obliged him. But I think what if we were not law abiding citizens. He needed to be able to protect himself in all situations. It is a lawmaker gone wild and reckless to disarm agents who in the call of their duty may need that firearm not only for themselves but for others that may need his assistance. Utah voters, remember the name of Jason Chaffetz in the next election cycle, who proposes to leave agents unable to defend themselves and other citizens.

@one thought

"I am totally in support of this"

Then you would need to be in support of making Federal Lands totally gun free zones. You can't have one without the other.

"In what universe is it a good idea to give the BLM an army with NO oversight."

First, BLM has no army. Second, they are a Federal Law Enforcement Entity under the Department of the Interior, an authorized United States Law Enforcement authority. Third, they have oversight.

"What is it that they protect."

Us, by enforcing the laws and regulations governing BLM land and resources.

"The BLM should NOT be a military force."

And they aren't

I applaud this idea. Public land management employees did not sign up to be law enforcement officers. They are not trained for this kind of action. After spending years of college education learning about agricultural and public lands issues, it is not fair to anyone to hand them guns and say they should act like cops. Let law enforcement officers be in charge of carrying guns.

Too many govt. agencies are becoming militarized. As a citizen a BLM agent has the right to carry a personal weapon if they have a permit if required and if it is authorized by their employer. But the taxpayer does not need to pay for automatic weapons and billions of rounds of ammo, and other military equipment. The department of Education has swat teams, almost every govt. agency is buying huge quantities of ammo.

I see some complaints about Sheriffs. I am grateful that there are some law enforcers that actually stand by their oath to defend the constitution and uphold the law.

Given what happened in the recent standoff and "traffic stop" involving the FBI, I would think that the FBI is a little too militarized and it would be unwise to call them either.

Wanna be Bundy.

The role of the BLM is to secure land for corporate interests and ultimately Agenda 21 initiatives in conjunction with other federal, state and local agencies.The BLM is not providing the public a necessary service. They are taking over all aspects of plots of land for licensing and sales to foreign and domestic corporate interests under the guise of preservation. Sorry but here is the New World Order at work.

I think there's enough sane people here to know this is an insane idea from Chaffetz.

Here's a guy that's got way too much time of his hands. Just hope you don't need one of these officers to help you sometime.

I am totally in support of this
Some of you people are unbelievable
In what universe is it a good idea to give the BLM an army with NO oversight.
What is it that they protect. Oh yeah access to public lands.
The BLM should NOT be a military force. Absolutely NOT.

Chaffetz needs to be kicked out of office. His block grants will do less and cost more. He rants that the BLM has abruptly canceled its contracts with local county sheriff offices in Utah, when we know that police corruption is rampant in these small southern Utah communities where local enforcement have been involved in the obstruction justice. Cases range from the FBI in trying to investigate illegal polygamous unions and idiot cops having sex with minors to food stamp fraud and money laundering, but the locals know better! Look at the continuing problems of Hildale and Colorado City and the illicit activities there.

We have sheriff's who either are unwilling or unable to enforce reasonable laws. The joke at Recapture Canyon, coupled with the first Bundy standoff in NV, led to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation is proof of that. The problems in all these cases escalate not diminish.

Both of Chaffetz arguments about elected county sheriffs with public accountability and the use of the FBI are ludicrous in light of mounting evidence and the facts.

"I see your true colors shining through."

Chaffetz is creating chaos. These are legally authorized agents of the executive branch of the federal government, making sure that federal laws and regulations are "faithfully executed" on federal property. Local law enforcement does not necessarily have jurisdiction, the training or the manpower to investigate in all types of these cases. Will deputies in southern Utah enforce federal regulations on federal property? For example, will they protect American Indian ruins? I don't think so.

In most cases, the reason these employees carry is to protect themselves or other citizens from lawbreakers carrying weapons.

@Summit

"This would be a GREAT step in the direction of diffusing a growing powder keg. Citizen's and Gov't employees would serve each other best if serving on the same side, not opposite each other. The emphasis does indeed need to be on demilitarization, and instead be put on finding common ground that everyone can work together on."

I'm sure when you disarm the federal agencies the locals will just drop their weapons and we'll all sing Kum-By-Ya. I'm sure none of the anti-government "patriots" would think of harming a disarmed federal agent.

Maybe this stroke of genius can be applied in South Chicago. Take away the guns from the Chicago PD, since the situation in South Chicago is so tense.

Wow, he has now crossed a line. This is one of the most insane ideas I have heard from his mouth. Let's take away guns from agents who go into remote areas--many of which are infested with drug cartels growing marijuana-- and patrol. Good idea! Maybe we should just bring back gladiator fighting while we are at it.

Oh boy. I don't see his logic, if there is any to be found there.

@Ltrain

"There is absolutely no reason that a BLM or EPA employee should be allowed to carry any weapon that "Joe Citizen" isn't allowed to carry."

Even the Rangers that are tasked with law enforcement? Shouldn't we also take the guns away from the local police as well? They both receive the same training and are tasked with the same job. Or....is it just blind hatred of all things federal that drives your statement?

I guess it is better for federal employees in a remote locations doing law enforcement to be defenseless sitting ducks.

This would be a GREAT step in the direction of diffusing a growing powder keg. Citizen's and Gov't employees would serve each other best if serving on the same side, not opposite each other. The emphasis does indeed need to be on demilitarization, and instead be put on finding common ground that everyone can work together on.

@Unleashed
I agree with you that these agents should be armed. Their need for self-defense greater than the average citizen and their right to self defense is equal to that of any human.
However, if their LE duties were transferred to local agencies, it becomes quite unlikely that they would find themselves in the dangerous situations you reference.

So, Mr. Chaffetz, if I am in a National Park or Forest and I (or an agent sees a crime, see a crime taking place I notify the local agency who is a block away. That agent then calls the local police, who may or may not be in the area and they respond when possible. In the mean time the criminal has completed their crime and vanishes.

I think that he means that the taxpayer shouldn't be purchasing their ammo and guns for them. If they can pass a FBI background check,and their employer says that it's ok, let them conceal carry. Then when they have to defend themselves they can be under the same legal standing as any citizen and have to spend their own money to defend that action in a court of law.

There is absolutely no reason that a BLM or EPA employee should be allowed to carry any weapon that "Joe Citizen" isn't allowed to carry. That goes for parks, churches, and all other places. Demilitarize these people now.

Agreed, go get em Jason!

Free American,

"....Unless the federal agencies are required by the sheriff to follow the law they will continue to illegally encroach upon state jurisdiction...."
______________________________

Those same arguments were used against the FBI in the 1920s. Its scope when first authorized was strictly investigative and its areas of jurisdiction were often disputed by the states and even other Federal agencies. It took an Act of Congress in 1934 to authorize FBI agents to carry firearms and make arrests. What had changed was the rapidly changing nature of problems they had to deal with that required Federal jurisdiction. BLM agents are charged with managing Federal lands and are often literally in the position of first responders to a potentially violent situation.

But I’m not surprised that someone like Jason Chaffetz might seize an opportunity to strut his stuff as a would be champion to some of his constituents.

Please provide us a concrete example of why this is a problem in need of a solution. Please give us dates, locations, parties involved, etc. Let's see just how badly this is needed.

This shows how radical and absolutely insane the GOP "leaders" have become. JC just can't win any arguments, from Planned Parenthood to Benghazi. So now he wants to look even more insane by trying to take guns away from our officials trying to support the law.

He has gone off the deep yet again.

Somethings not right inside that man!

What's wrong with Chaffetz anyway?

The stuff he comes up with is just bizarre.

He should get a checkup . . . I'm hoping modern medicine has a solution.

I think this is a mistake, especially in an era of terrorist 'ranchers', the freemen and other home grown insurgents looking to overthrow the government starting in some remote corner of the world.

Little Jason should just go ahead and resign his position and join a militia. @Free American "a private army of the government" Got a good laugh out of that one.

Afterthought:

The BLM and Forest Service are part of the Executive Branch, which is constitutionally tasked with law enforcement on a federal level.

I thought Jason loved the Constitution? Apparently not when it inconveniences his Tea Party buddies.

Like every other politician, his first and only love and loyalty is to those who hand him $$$$$.

"Both Chaffetz and Stewart say potentially volatile situations that merit law enforcement response are best left to the area's local sheriff's offices or police who are familiar with the topography and residents.."

Because the Clark County Sheriff was SO effective at clearing out the welfare king's illegally grazing cattle in Nevada, right?

Ridiculous. Thanks for proving yet again how worthless you are, Jason.

The congress has never given BLM,Forest Service,EPA and others the power of law enforcement.Gun wielding federal bureaucrats, as seen in recent federal raids such as the Bundy raid, USFWS raid on Gibson Guitar Company, and many others, are operating outside their lawful delegated authority. Unless the federal agencies are required by the sheriff to follow the law they will continue to illegally encroach upon state jurisdiction. When the local sheriff, as in the case of Clark Co. Sheriff Gillespie abdicate their duties, and turn a law enforcement operation over to the federal government, they may subject themselves to removal for malfeasance of office.I would agree that those employees in search of poachers if not accompanied by sheriff or other law enforcement agencies should be able to check out weapons only on a need to basis.They are at this point being used as a private army of the government and this is absolutely unconstitutional. I support and applaud Mr Chaffetz and his fight to keep the Constitutions alive when so many want to trample it into ground.

@Kralon, and others

The proposal is also to add supplemental funding for LOCAL law enforcement that is accountable. Too many of the Rambo and quasi-cops are not accountable locally and not ready to respond like a trained law enforcement officer would be.

There is not, as I understand, any effort to remove personal second amendment rights, but to just not spend money on armaments or to authorize bureaucrats to be anything more than what they are.

Thanks for doing the right thing Jason!

Quite possibly the dumbest idea related to guns and law enforcement I've ever heard. How many gun battles have BLM and USFS agents been involved in in the last 10 years? How many of those have been provoked by BLM and USFS agents? And how many people have died as a result of their recklessness? I for one am happy to see these public servants armed, even though their guns are resting quietly on their side while they are helping someone in need, picking up after us, or generally doing the things Andy would have done.

Why not take away guns from Police and the Military?,
and Congressional Body Guards then -- Jason.

So, let me get this straight... Chaffetz wants locals to police themselves?

So a local Sherriff, who's be elected, will be responsible to enforce laws (they don't believe in) against their local population of voters?

This is a formula for successful enforcement?

It looks like most commenters didn't read past the headline. This isn't about guns per se. This is about the need (or lack thereof) for various federal agencies to have their own LE divisions. Does the Department of Education really need a SWAT team? The EPA?
Congress has an oversight duty. Many parts of the federal government have grown beyond their legitimate bounds. Chaffetz is right to raise these issues.
I disagree with him about the need for the BLM to be armed. The recent standoff demonstrates their legitimate need for self defense capability, to say nothing of dangerous wildlife where they operate. So let them carry guns, but leave arrest powers to local LE.

Jason always seems like he is looking for something on the fringe of politics to do.
Perhaps becoming buddies with the GOP POTUS candidate front runner, then running as Trump's VP, would bring him a real challenge and a whole lot of issues for the DN and commenters to talk about?
What do you think, Jason?
Anyway.....don't you belong to the political party that wants EVERYONE in America to have a gun?

I thought Chaffetz was a Republican who favored the 2nd Amendment.

Gun control in any form is dangerous. Especially when you disarm those who are actually trying to enforce the law.

Re: Gary O, Love the Barney Fife reference!

"These agents are more Rambo and less Andy Griffith than I would like . . . "

Haha!

And Jason Chaffetz is more Barnie Fife than he should be, don't you think?

So, the 2nd amendment doesn't apply to Federal Law enforcement??!

This guy can't do ANYTHING right, and his ridiculous notions are just preposterous.

Does Chaffetz wants to disarm Federal Law enforcement so they can be sitting ducks for "Patriots" like the extremist Mormon Bundy clan and their like-minded friends?

. . . I suppose he thinks that's what it means to be a public servant.

Terrible idea Mr Chaffetz, Mr Christensen! Remember 2014 on the Nevada ranch? Armed militia, anti Federal groups taking sniper positions on the freeway, aiming at the heads of BLM officers? Outnumbering them 4 to 1? Remember Malheur Bird refuge? Consider those in Federal custody right now & the fever pitch they've stirred up with fringe ideas of what the constitution is and what rights they wrongly perceive sheriffs have.
Everyone seems to be forgetting Federal officers, BLM or otherwise are people with families and friends too, lol finger in our communities who deserve protection. Living in Southern Utah we're tired of all the wackadoodles and their pocket constitutions spouting nonsense even when church leaders come out against the Oregon standoff.
My family used to own large farms, but the world has changed, and we no longer do farm due to drought & land being valued more for subdivisions. Time for ranchers to get with the the times. Consider the droughts, the BLM land values & the recreational crowd who are coming in droves to see the land for its beauty. The Wild West is gone.

government workers are people too... they can have guns... is that not what you and all your right wing groupies are all about

Everyone is equal but some are more equal than others.

JC wants to make sure faux patriots get the drop on BLM, Forest Service agents.

Wonderful.

BTW,

JC will also take guns away from all his cronies.

Waiting.

‘Chaffetz wants to take guns away from BLM, Forest Service agents’

==========

Says the coward Representative doesn't like the TSA looking for weapons on an airplane.

Tell you what,
after seeing what those BUNDY's and others from southern Utah pulled last month and in 2014 -- I say give those officers even MORE guns!

Chaffetz is kicking this one WAY wide right. Might as well take away all their black helicopters too.

Chaffetz supports law-breaking ranchers--dishonest businessmen who take advantage of federal rules concerning BLM and forestry lands to put more coin in their greedy pockets. And when these federal agencies come to enforce penalties for repeated misdeeds, these dishonest businessmen ranchers cry government overreach and wrap themselves in their flags and pocket constitutions.

Then they call on their buddies to come and bring their guns in the name of the holy 2nd Amendment to help them defend their "rights" to keep cheating the government by patrolling both ranch and federal land. All the while posing the ominous threat of 2nd Amendment justice against the very agents of the federal government who are just trying to do their jobs--level penalties against scumbags.

And who is on the side of these local loonies, Mr. Chaffetz? The sheriffs. "Hey sheriff, I've got feds with guns headed my way to enforce an action against me. Can I get your S.W.A.T. team here to meet them?" "You got it, Billy-Bob."

Sheriffs defending dirty ranchers? Already happening.

The recent siege in Oregon was precipitated by heavily armed anti-government activists seizing government facilities on Federal lands. I don't think Mr. Chaffetz can reasonably expect his proposal to garner support from law-abiding citizens.

But what about those agents' 2nd Amendment rights?

Absolutely unbelievable! Chaffetz should be more worried about the gun-toting Bundys of the world, yet now he wants those yahoos to be fully armed while federal officers would be defenseless, vulnerable, and impotent, hence unable to protect the citizens on federal land who actually own that land. His anti-fed paranoia has gone way off the deep end.

As a law abiding citizen, I want law enforcement agencies to be able to to their job. After seeing what some criminals do in Nevada and Oregon, and at the same time to see the restrain and professionalism, that allowed for the capture of those criminals, I think that we should not reduce their law enforcement capabilities. At the same time, if representative Chaffee knows of any wrongdoing, he should denounce and the law breaking agents should be prosecuted. If anything we have seeing too much restrain on federal officials stopping those criminals. And that is probably a good thing.

Chaffetz ought to do some fact checking before he makes accusations and pours gasoline on the fire for these fringe groups.Grandstanding is politics.

Well that bill will be DOA and is a waste of time.

Then take guns away from citizens as well, Jason.
Can't have it both ways.
As it turns out, BLM and Forest Service employees haven't shot anyone. Yet citizens have pointed their own guns at BLM and Forest Service employees on more than one occasion.
Why is that, Jason?

There needs to be a balance. Officers working in remote areas need to be able to carry guns and rifles. Maybe not automatic weapons, but they need some basic weapons, pepper spray is not worth much when you are far from law enforcement. Even if you are only dealing with wild animals (which includes some humans).