This petition is simply common sense.  It does not make sense to make it unlawful to carry a handgun in a forest when it is completely lawful to be carried in most other areas of the State.  Incidents of crime and violence may be minimal on Forest lands, but the seclusion and vastness of the area make those events, no matter how few or far between, extremley difficult for Law Enforcement or EMS to respond to in a quick manner.  This makes the need to defend oneself even more important than in other areas of the Commonwealth.  Criminals will not be stopped from carrying firearms simply because there is a rule or law against it.  Criminals are already breaking laws, so they will not be worried about one more.  The law that this petition is seeking to overturn does nothing more than disarm law abiding citizens. 

Please pass this petition and let common sense prevail.

David Stuebing

Portsmouth, VA