H.R. 9719: Federal Lands Lawful Carry Act

This bill would change federal law to allow people to possess firearms in certain federal units and facilities if they are otherwise allowed to have a firearm under the law and if their possession complies with the law of the state where the federal area is located.

What areas are covered

The bill defines an “exempted area” as an area that is:

• Owned or leased by certain federal entities, including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Forest System, NOAA, National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, Tennessee Valley Authority, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and
• Open to visitors and invitees.

How it would change current law

The bill amends federal criminal law regarding firearms on federal property. It would make clear that, for the covered areas above, having a firearm is considered a lawful purpose if:

• The person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm; and
• The possession follows the firearm laws of the state where the area is located.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would allow lawful firearm possession in many visitor-accessible federal lands and facilities, so long as state law is followed and the person is legally permitted to have the firearm. It would apply to a range of federal outdoor and land-management areas, including national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and certain other federal lands and facilities.

Relevant Companies

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