Please support the proposed amendment to 4VAC10-30-170, which allows for the otherwise lawful carry of firearms and ammunition in state forests! This amendment brings state forests into alignment with state parks, national parks, and national forests.  

I am a wilderness search and rescue volunteer.  I'm also a 5'6" 110 pound female who must carry a firearm for my own protection.  I am particularly vulnerable to violent criminals as well as wild animals such as bears or coyotes while on searches or while training in the wilderness areas of our parks, national and state forests!  Please vote to allow me and other law abiding citizens to protect ourselves in state forests.  To be useful in a self defense situation my firearm must be readily accessible to me.  We often conduct searches at night as well as during the day and it is not unusual to come upon coyotes hunting in packs and they can be very aggressive and have been known to attack humans.  If I were to surprise a bear I may not have time to retrieve a firearm from concealment in order to protect myself.  Also, criminals often retreat to wilderness areas in order to avoid being found by police.  Search teams have even come across meth labs while searching as well as marijauna fields.  These labs and crops are defended by criminals and they will not hesitate to kill somebody to protect them and keep them secret.  An unsuspecting hiker or a search and rescue volunteer can easily find themselves in a life threatening situation in these areas with help too far away to provide assistance.  We need the means to protect our lives, from both natural and human dangers.  Please vote to support this important amendment.  Thank you.