I had occasion to camp by myself (was attending a conference nearby, and this was the least expensive way to stay) last summer and felt quite unsafe as I could not carry a weapon with which to protect myself. Why should I lose my second amendment right to self-defense because I'm in a state forest or park? Why should there be ANY zones where the bad guys KNOW law-abiding citizens will be defenseless? The founders knew the value of citizen self-defense and that of the citizens taking resposibility for protecting his (or her) home and family in any place or time. It has not ever stopped.

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
George Washington