Virginia citizens who have been issued concealed carry permits are known to be law-abiding, by virtue of their having been issued the permit.  They won't stop respecting the law because of the addition of a locale into which they may carry their firearm.  The ability to provide additional peace of mind for one's family during an outing to our state forests is something all should be afforded.  Just as you might take extra blankets or umbrellas on your trip to the woods and not use them, the carrying of a concealed weapon by those legally allowed to do so is nothing more than good planning and preparedness.  Legally concealed weapons are carried thousands of times daily in the Commonwealth, with no adverse effect.  The fact that would be criminals may have to reconsider areas in which to prey seems to be a good thing. 

I respectfully urge the Virginia Department of Forestry to uphold the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth.