There is absolutely no reason to prevent law-abiding gun owners from exercising their constitutional rights in parks and forests as they are allowed to do everywhere else.  Under the Constitution of Virginia there is no authority for the Commonwealth to restrict the lawful carry of firearms on state lands provided the person is not engaged in hunting when hunting is not permitted.

Unfortunately crime does not respect park and forest boundaries.  There is no reason to believe that restricting the lawful carry of firearms in parks will do anything other than ensure that criminals find a conveniently unarmed group of potential victims to prey upon.  Experience bears this simple fact out.

Please adopt the provisions of this petition.