I am in favor of concealed carry in the park systems.  I am an avid hiker and as a retiree now have the time to spend in one of my favorite past times (nature).  Having lived in the Appalachian chain for most of my life I (and my Wife) spend as much time as practical enjoying this pursuit.  At the same time, we realize the risk involved with walking the trails.  As you are aware, we have had several serious encounters of hikers being assaulted and killed while doing as we do (simply enjoying our favorite past time).  One elderly couple killed in the Cradle of Forestry near Jefferson, NC, two fishermen shot last year on a trout stream(by the same man who killed two hikers a decade earlier.  Security in the forest is non-existant unless it is provided by the individual!  There are too few law enforcement personnel in cities to make a difference and almost none in the woods.  I can honestly say, out of the thousands of hikes I have made in the woods of our area, I have never encountered a forest ranger on the trail (the exception would be once in the Smokey Mt. range.  I will also admit that I have had only one serious encounter with a hostile hiker but several with animals ( wild dogs).  I am trained in the safe use of a firearm, technical use of a firearm and the ramifications of personal protection with a firearm.  I respectfully request that you permit those of us who have devoted the time to earn the right to carry by the investment time, effort and education in personal protection to do so in the park system as well as at large and at home.  Respectfully,  Ben and Sandy Bingham