I have a right to carry a handgun in most of the commonwealth of Virginia. I carry a handgun because it is far to expensive and inconvenient to carry a law enforcement officer everywhere I go. I don't consider these forests to be a valid exception to some arbitrary list of places where I am able to defend myself, particularly since courts have decreed that it is NOT the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to do so.

I have been in situations where even with the immediate contact provided by a cellphone, no human or even superhuman law enforcement officer could (or would be likely to) arrive quickly enough to defend me. Law enforcement officers are great, but I would rather defend myself than spend hours filling out a report after being assaulted or robbed. I also would prefer defending myself in lieu of giving some perp 'what he wants' and hoping it is sufficient that he takes it and goes away without further harming or killing me.

I find it difficult to believe that legislators who claim to understand the constitution must question this part of my second amendment right.

Sincerely,

William J. Price, Bealeton, VA