Sirs:

      I believe the people of Virginia have the right to  protect themselves and their families when in the Virginia State Forests. Danger lurks there as much as it does anywhere else in the Commonwealth. We never know when or where we will need to defend our lives or the lives of our loved ones. It would be a shame for a family to lose a loved one in a state forest because of a law that prohibits carrying a handgun. It could even be a child. I have grandchildren that I would protect with my life, as I'm sure some of you do. Please, let me have the means to protect and defend them when I take them to see the beauty of the Virginia State Forests.

Thank you,
Gary L Widner