I fully support the proposed change in regulations allowing persons with valid concealed handgun permits (CHPs) to carry their defensive firearms concealed while in a State forest.

Various studies by Federal and State government agencies have demonstrated that persons with concealed handgun permits are more law-abiding than the general population and have no special concerns with respect to their environmental impact. 

Moreover, other studies by these same agencies have demonstrated that the potential for a criminal to encounter a person with a CHP has a deterent effect on criminal behavior.  With resource constraints negatively impacting Department of Game and Inland Fisheries patrol and law enforcement, allowing persons with CHPs to carry their defensive firearms while in State forests provides a secondary means of ensuring the safety of the public while on these lands.

Please expedite the issuance of this change in regulations, and allow law abiding citizens with CHPs to carry handguns either concealed or openly while in the State's forests.

David Green