Law abiding citizens who are permitted to purchase and own guns in the Commonwealth as well as persons who possess concealed carry permits ought to be permitted to carry handguns in State forests, openly or concealed, as appropriate, for the purpose of self defense.

Vast areas of State forest where citizens may be hiking alone are not routinely patroled by law enforcemment officers, game wardens or forest rangers.  As a result a citizen must be prepared and equiped to defend themselves against miscreants of all types.  Handguns provide that capability. 

Lawmakers must recognize that there have been numerous instances of hikers and campers in state and federal forests being assaulted, raped and murdered by assailants that were never apprehended.  These crimes probably would not have occured it the victims had been armed and, thus, in a position to deter and/or defend against oportunistic assailants.