Beginning Jan. 5, visitors to Voyageurs National Park who have a Minnesota permit to carry will be able to bring a concealed firearm into the park.

The change in the law applies to all national parks and wildlife refuges and visitors must have a permit to carry in the state where the national park or refuge is located, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Three national parks, located in Wisconsin and Illinois, are excluded from the law because permits to carry are not issued in those states.

The new regulation applies to handguns only, and requires that the handgun be concealed. The permit holder must have possession of the carry permit and a government-issued photo identification.

The permit holder must, when asked, disclose to a law enforcement officer that they are a permit holder and are carrying a concealed weapon, according to Jim Hummel, chief ranger at Voyageurs National Park.

The change was proposed by 51 U.S. senators to allow visitors to transport and carry firearms consistent with state law. Since the existing regulation banning firearms in national parks was adopted in 1983, 48 states have passed legislation allowing the lawful possession of concealed weapons, according to the Department of Interior.

Firearms will continue to be prohibited in federal buildings including VNP’s visitors centers, park headquarters, tour boats and the Kettle Falls hotel, according to Hummel.

The new regulation doesn’t protect permit holders from federal prosecution for any firearm-related crime, such as violations of the conditions of the state permit, discharging a firearm, endangering public safety, destruction of wildlife or property or negligent storage of a loaded firearm, according to Hummel.

Hummel said park staff are concerned about how it will impact contact between park rangers and visitors.

“The safety of all visitors, staff and wildlife is extremely important. Park staff will work to ensure that there are no misunderstandings that could cause unnecessary concerns to visitors or threaten park resources,” Hummel said.

During a public comment period held in the spring, the Department of the Interior received 140,000 comments on the change. Those in opposition to the law included the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, the Association of National Park Rangers, the Ranger Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Parks Conservation Association, in addition to seven former directors of the National Park Service.

In a statement issued jointly by the agencies, they said their opposition stems from the belief that the law change will increase impulse killings of wildlife and risks to visitor and ranger safety.