WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Concealed weapons would be allowed in U.S. national parks under a proposal being considered by the U.S. Interior Department.

The measure would reverse a 25-year ban and signify an important victory for gun rights advocates, The Christian Science Monitor reported, although it would apply only in national parks located in states allowing concealed weapons in their own parks.


National Rifle Association chief lobbyist Chris Cox called the proposal "an important step in the right direction."

Opponents strongly disagree.

"This is part of a broad campaign by the NRA to get guns into all our public places," Daniel Vice, a senior attorney with the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, told the Monitor.

The Interior Department received an estimated 100,000 comments during a public comment period that ended Aug. 8. Interior officials are examining the public submissions before announcing their final decision, the Monitor said.