Concealed handgun carry should be allowed in State Forests with the proper permits. The local courts have done background checks on permit holders and allow them to carry concealed just about anywhere in Virginia. Even the National Parks now allows concealed carry. Permit holders are carrying concealed for the protection of themselves and their loved ones. This is a need that can arise at any time and any place as was proven last week on The Blue Ridge Parkway. Concealed permit holders are probably one group of the most respectful of  the law. The people that don't respect the law are going to break the law anyway. Give the law-abiding permit holders the chance to protect themselves and their loved ones. The people with the permits are not the ones you need to be worried about. They are not carrying legally to poach or to target shoot or to intimidate other forest users. They are carrying for protection, to possibly save a life. The same reason I have fire extinguishers readily available to me.

Thank you,                                                                                                                                                                   

W.J. Stringfield