There are plenty of reasons to be able to carry a handgun, concealed or not, in a state forest. People need the option to defend themselves wherever they go. There is the possibility of an animal attack, such as a bear, wild dog, etc. Also, there could be attacks by other people. These could be from a robber, rapist, killer, or all of the above. By preventing people from legally carrying handguns in the state forests, then only the criminals will carry them. They are not stopped by laws restricting them on how they can harm and take advantage of people. They are however, stopped by people that refuse to become a victim and have the means to protect themselves.

By keeping law-abiding citizens from carrying handguns in the state forests, you are severely limiting their self-defense possibilities. Assuming a person could get a phone call through to help, there is almost no chance of help arriving before the harm has been done.