Law-abiding Virginia citizens have a statutory right to carry handguns publicly, with some limitations.  Allowing citizens to carry handguns in state forests would be a logical and rational extension of this right.  There is little to no evidence that the exercise of the right has led to increased gun crime in Virginia.  Consequently, it is unlikely that extending this right to state forests would result in any significant criminal activity in state forests.  On the contrary, nationwide studies have shown that crime tends to be lower in areas where citizens are allowed to carry firearms for self-protection.  Those who would criminally misuse a handgun in a state forest, or anywhere else, are unlikely to be deterred by laws prohibiting them from carrying the handgun.  But they would likely be deterred by the knowledge that other citizens are lawfully carrying handguns for self-protection.  By their nature, state forests and parkland are difficult to police and contain many remote areas where the need for a law-abiding citizen to carry a handgun for self-protection is obvious.  Further, some of the most remote areas are home to wildlife that in some cases can pose a threat to individuals.  Law-abiding citizens should be permitted to carry a  handgun into these areas in case they need to protect themselves or others from such animals.  This is a common practice in western states, for example, where in my experience locals find it unthinkable, and even unconscionable, to venture into remote wilderness areas without a firearm.  Even so, improper or criminal shooting of animals in those states is insignificant, and there is no reason to believe it would be any different in Virginia.  No person who does not wish to carry a handgun should feel threatened by those who do.  Again, experience both in Virginia and in all other states show that the vast majority of citizens who carry handguns legally pose no threat to other law-abiding individuals, a trend that will almost certainly remain unchanged if those citizens are permitted to carry their handguns onto state land.  The facts show that they will pose no significant threat to others, to wildlife, and to everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors.  On the other hand, persons who already choose to carry firearms illegally will be unaffected by any change in the law.  In the end, not extending the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun onto state parkland or forests is unreasonable and will ultimately run counter to public safety goals.  Opponents of this right, though undoubtedly well-intentioned, are likely operating under an irrational prejudice against firearms in general.