As a free person I have the right to be armed. If the state prevents this right to openly exercised then I am no longer a free person. Worse the state's callousness about my safety and desire and ability to protect myself from harm from mugging to rape and murder. These events happens in parks and state forests the same as on a city street.  In fact rapes may be easier in a private setting like a state forest and the law should allow any woman or man protect themselves from any criminal who decides to hurt decent citizens.

I do promote and agree with the petition for the law to be changed to allow open carry or conceal carry in Virginia's state parks and forests.

Thanks, and please change this law to allow law abiding people to carry firearms in parks and forests.