With a Ph.D. in Public and National Security Policy & Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, I fully support carry of handguns in state parks.  Even the federal government is considering reversing their policy of no handguns in National Parks.  In 2006, there were 4,485 aggravated assaults, rapes, murders, and other crimes in national parks.  If some of those victims were carrying a firearm, their deaths, rapes and assaults could have been avoided.   Those criminal elements who do illegally carry firearms into parks don't care about state or federal laws.  So by denying the carrying of handguns in state parks you are only punishing and placing at risk law abiding citizens. To date, 48 states have concealed handgun laws, as does Virginia.  To permit citizens to carry a concealed handgun almost anywhere in the state except an isolated State Park runs counter to any logic.