As an avid outdoorsman, I frequently hike, fish, and enjoy the natural resources of VA, WV, and PA.  I strongly belive in protecting myself and my family from harm, and my right to bear arms to ensure a strong and effective defense from predatory wildlife and violent criminals.  This need for defense while enjoying natural resources has been addressed several times i the past both at the state and federal level by expanding the right to carry in parks and forests, including VA state and federal parks where it is currently legal to carry concealed firearms, in the interest of simplicity and uniformity of law there is no reason not to extend this to VA state forests, where boundaries between adjacent parks and public property are hard to determine while on foot.  For this reason, with state forrests off limits to carry, there is a great possibility that citizens may venture from areas where legal to carry, and across boundaries into state forrests where concealed carry is prohibited, and innocent people may find themselves in violation of the law, and subject to arrest.  I would also ask that this regulation be expanded to allow the lawful open carrying of firearms, as currently legal in the state of Virginia to include state parks and forrests.  While hiking and enjoying the outdoors, the additional retension offered by open carry holsters can help avoid a firearm from falling out of the holster in the event of a fall, or while running.  This also affords greater comfort to the wearer in hot weather where a jacket or vest does not have to be worn to conceal a firearm, and it allows the use of larger more powerful handguns that are more effective if used as a defense aggainst large predatory wildlife.  By allowing both modes of carry, the citizen has greater freedom to carry a defensive firearm in a way that better suits weather conditions and their activities.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to approval of this much needed legislation

Jeremy Richardson