while I support the new regulation allowing a citizen with a concealed handgun permit (CHP) to carry their self-defense handgun concealed while in a State forest, I also request that the Department hold a hearing to address allowing law abiding citizens to openly carry handguns while in State Forests.  Open carry is often more practical in an outdoor setting than is concealed carry and should be permitted.  This change would also bring State Forests into compliance with Commonwelath's  Attorney General opinion  08-043, published in September 2008.