RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazil's Senate has approved two bills expanding gun rights for residents of rural areas.

The legislation that passed Wednesday would allow gun owners to carry firearms anywhere on their property and reduce the legal age of possession for rural residents to 21 from 25. People now can carry the weapons only in their homes.

The bills still need to be approved by Brazil's lower house.

The measure is separate from efforts by President Jair Bolsonaro to make it easier for Brazilians to buy and carry guns, and to allow more powerful weapons. The Senate recently voted to block such a move, and Bolsonaro issued several decrees Tuesday to try a new approach at easing restrictions.

Firearms laws are a contentious issue in Brazil, which has high levels of gun violence.