As a law abiding citizen of the Commonwealth, a former Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff in the Commonwealth, and a holder of a current permit to carry a concealed weapon, I strongly urge you to allow the legal carrying of open or concealed weapons in our State Forests.  To not allow the legal carrying of firearms in our state forests would only predetermine that the only ones that would have weapons in our state forests would be the criminals.  After all, the criminals could care less about our laws.  The only persons adversely affected by not allowing the legal carry, would, in fact, be the law abiding citizens of Virginia.  It makes no sense to me, whatsover, that I should be allowed to legally protect myself, my family, and others in virtually every other place on Virginia soil, except in our state forests.