There are numerous reasons to grant this petition and allow lawful carry of firearms in State Forests.  Potential crime victims in State Forests are often far from law enforcement and out of cell-phone range, making it difficult to call for law enforcement support, or for law enforcement to arrive.  People are sitting ducks unless they can defend themselves.

Those willing to commit real crimes (robbery, rape, murder) in State Forests will not be deterred by a law or regulation prohibiting firearms.  After all, if they aren't deterred by laws against robbery and so on, why should they be deterred by a law or regulation prohibiting firearms?  Yet, law-abiding potential crime victims will obey a rule against firearms, making them easy marks for criminals.

Thank you for considering these comments.  And please, enact rules consistent with the petition.