Over my life time I have spent a lot of time in State Parks in Virginia and other places.  More than once I have encountered situations where me or my wife would have felt safer in some of these places if allowed to carry a gun for self defense and I will give two examples as to why.

Years ago while hiking in the Shenandoah National Park I came across a field of Pot in a valley exiting the Park.  This field was well manicured and appeared to be boobie trapped - whether to keep out people, deer, or both I do not know.  I do know I felt very uncomfortable with this find, and I was concerned that the growers of this field might be near by and armed.  I left that area as quickly and quietly as possible, but all the same I would have been more comfortable if I had one of my handguns with me.

By vocation I am a Zoo Biologist (retired), and I now own and run two animal related businesses as my primary source of income.  I bring this up because my next example has to do with my ability to recognize certain wildlife and their behavior patterns.

I live in Northern Virginia - about as North as you can get without falling into the Potomac River.  My home is near the edge of the woods which are part of an extended Park properties.  Not too long ago a small Black Bear was found not far from my house after navigating Park properties for quite a ways.  We regularly see wildlife in our yard which include Fox, Turkey, Great Horned Owls, as well as the usual urban Opossum and Raccoons.

Over the past year or so my wife and I have seen and experienced Coyotes IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD in four separate instances.  Like the Bear, I assume the Coyotes also navigated Park properties to get here.  However, unlike the Bear which was an oddity, the Coyotes seem to be establishing themselves in this area.  Note: Last year the Washington Post had an article (and photos) about Coyotes having invaded the Rock Creek Park system in the middle of Washington, DC...an area which can also be traversed from my Virginia Park area.

For some time now I have been concerned about Coyotes attacking small children and pets in my neighborhood.  Last year my neighbor's Cat was torn to pieces, and evidence of a Coyote attack was found at the scene.  Two months ago my Dog disappeared without a trace.  She was a 17 year old, completely deaf, Jack Russell Terrier, and a house dog.  I have reason to believe Coyotes took her as well (Coyotes are well known for attacking and eating small Dogs).  During the subsequent search, an abandoned Coyote den was found on an abandoned lot covered in Bamboo and Briars only 100 yards from my house.  How long until a child or children are maimed or killed by Coyotes...?  

For two decades now my wife has taken regular walks with our Dogs into Park property and down by the River.  Last year my wife and one of our Dogs were stalked for over 1/4 mile by Coyotes while coming back from the River.  We suspect our Dog may have disturbed an active Coyote Den based on the Dogs reaction.  From what my wife told me it seems at least two Coyotes followed them back on either side of a ravine based on noise made by these animals.  I suspect the Coyotes which took out my Dog may live in this area of Park land.  As allowed by my Permit I carry a concealed handgun most of the time where legal here in Virginia.  Based on my family's experiences with Coyotes, I would feel safer in the nearby Park lands if I were allowed to carry my gun. 

For the record...  I am the son of a Major General in the U.S. Army who taught me the safe use of firearms at an early age, and I have been involved with several Izaak Walton Leagues over a forty year period which teach the safe use of guns for hunting, target shooting and self defense.  I have also received self defense training from a private source while in the process of obtaining my Concealed Carry Permit, which allows me to discreetly carry a handgun in most places in Virginia and other States.  If I were allowed to carry a handgun in Virginia State Parks I would likely do so in a concealed manner.  In order to legally purchase a handgun in Virginia an individual must first be OK'd by the Virginia State Police.  To further obtain a Concealed Handgun Permit in Virginia each person must go through even more investigations. 

My point is this:  The majority of folks that you may meet who own  a handgun in Virginia will be some of the most legally scrutinized individuals out there - and even more so if they have a Carry Permit.  This gives me a sense of relief, not fear.

Once again, I would ask the State to legalize the carrying of handguns in Virginia Park land.

Sincerely,

Louis (Trooper) Walsh