U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym, R-Indiana, has introduced legislation that would allow people who are legally permitted to carry firearms to do so inside buildings located on federal lands.

Yakym joined Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, in introducing the Federal Lands Lawful Carry Act (H.R. 9719).

Current federal policy generally prohibits firearms inside facilities such as visitor centers, ranger stations and restrooms on federal lands, even in places where visitors may legally carry firearms elsewhere in the park.

Yakym said the bill would eliminate what he called a loophole that can leave lawful gun owners in violation of federal rules when entering park buildings.

“Hoosiers who can lawfully carry shouldn’t lose that right when they step into a federal park building,” Yakym said in a statement. “This legislation closes a loophole that turns responsible gun owners into accidental criminals.”

Fallon said the legislation is intended to strengthen Second Amendment protections on federal lands, including national parks, national forests and property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The legislation has received support from Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation.