It should be allowed to carry a sidearm into any forest with out a permit as long as you can clearly see it holstered on the outside of the clothing. I personally have had an experience were I could have potenially  needed a side arm. I was Fly Fishing at Lake Skidmore in the George Washington National Forest of Rockngham County. I wadded about 15yds. from shore, when I saw  a young black bear heading my way on the shore line. I camly walked back to shore barking and yelling along the way. By the time I reached shore the young bear  was about 10yds. away from me. He was very interested in me. I was very fortunate I didn't catch any thing that day and had no food on me just a can of fishing worms and my pack. The bear showed no signs of agression towards me, but he had an unatural behavior, he had no fear of Humans. On the walk back to my vehicle I was armed with bug spray and a rock, I was nervous and scared the whole walk. The young bear generally stayed 5-10yds. away from me walking in front and on the same path for about 75 yds. stopping and waiting for me to catch up. I was yelling and barking since the first moment I saw him, obviously my verbal attempts never worked. If  I had my side arm on me I am postive one shot into the air would have scared him off. And what if this animal was agressive or rabid, all I had to prtect myself with was my fly rod, bug spray and a rock.