I have several concerns regarding banning concealed or unconsealed handguns in state forests.  First of all, if they are banned then the only people who will have them are the people who are against them and those that can prey on them knowing that they can carry illegally. That is the point. Go where you encounter the least resistance.

Second, if you choose not to carry, then that is your right. If you choose to carry in a legal manner, then that should be your right. People who lawfully carry handguns, concealed or otherwise, do not do it to harm others. They go through due process to carry; for protection against those that choose to circumvent the system for illegal activities.  

The last person who posted on this forum indicated that "as a citizen I feel safe walking in the woods of the park system and state forest land however I would not feel safe if anyone was allowed to carry a firearm".  Wake up, people, women in particular, are abducted, attacked, beaten, and sexually assualted on a regular basis in the D.C. area.  Most of them are out jogging on paths or going for walks where they feel it is the last place they would be assaulted.

Dont confuse the issue. There are millions of illegal handguns in the hands of those that wish to do harm to others. Targets of opportunity. You do have a right to enjoy a safe walk in the woods. The problem is that there are non-law abiding folks that dont care about your rights. Dont put your life in the hands of those that will not be there when your rights are violated.

You should have a fear of someone walking up to you in the woods with a gun. We all should. The difference is that you will not have to worry about a lawfully carrying person; they mean you no harm. If its concealed you wont even know they are carrying. Worry about the one that mean you harm and could care less about your rights!

Dont confuse law abiding citizens that respect the 2nd Amendment with those that could care less as long as they get what they want at any cost. Thats the point!