Greetings:

I support the petition to allow for the carrying of firearms in national forests under the stipulations as outlined by the VCDL.  Those who would do harm to people who are enjoying their time in the seclusion of a national forests would be more hesitant should they know that their "victim" was potentially armed.  As a Baptist minister I believe that where I may protect my family or others that I may be around it is my responsibility to do so.  With this change in the regulations I am given the ability to do so in the unlikely event it is ever needed (to scare away wildlife or to protect from those who would do harm.)