Posted on 01/27/2011 9:24:50 PM PST by smokingfrog
A Browning M1911 semiautomatic pistol may soon join the sego lily, Rocky Mountain elk and sugar beet as official symbols of the state of Utah.
The State Senate is considering a measure passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday that would declare the .45-caliber handgun the official state firearm — the first in the country.
"This firearm was created by John Moses Browning, who was a son of Utah pioneers," said Republican Rep. Carl Wimmer of Herriman, Utah, during debate on the House floor. "This firearm really has defended liberty and freedom around the country and around the world. And I think this is a very appropriate designation to capture a portion of the state history."
The M1911 is one of several notable Browning firearms and has been used by the military and law enforcement since World War I.
Wimmer characterized the notion of an official state firearm as benign, similar to naming the Dutch oven the official state cooking pot. But Democrat Carol Spackman Moss of Holladay opposed the move.
"It seems insensitive to me at this time when many people are mourning the deaths of six people in Tucson and the serious wounding of Gabrielle Giffords, a friend of mine," Moss told the Utah House. "Many people have a negative experience with guns because guns do kill people [when they're] in the hands of those who use them wrongly."
(Excerpt) Read more at npr.org ...
Well ayatollah rock ‘n’ rolla!
Gotta love the 1911.
What should be the Arizona state gun? Maybe a Ruger Blackhawk? They make them in Prescott. maybe so.
I think it’s a good choice. AZ’s would have to be a Ruger of some kind.
Wasn’t Pennsylvania recently on the verge of naming a historic rifle?
It has a flawless pedigree, designed specifically to kill muslims.
Lawrence O’donnell was horrible tonight on MSNBC. He said John Browning turned a small gun shop into a “Merchant of Death” and that he was a monster. I kid you not. I could not bleieve it. Still can’t.
California would have a .25 cal Raven as the state firearm.
California could have a water pistol tho they are probably illegal there.
Florida could either be a Kel-Tec or Taurus.
John Browning gave the U.S. Military rights to his M1917 machine gun for a dollar. Since the gun was produced in huge numbers that gun alone would have made him rich but he had a Son fighting and did not feel right taking money for a gun which might have been used by him.
Owned one and LOVED it! John Moses Browning was a genius and his firearms have defended this nation for decades. Go for it Utah!!
The left will scream and bellyache about this move sooooo, let me make a suggestion taken from their oft repeated philosophy of the 60’s and 70’s. “Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it!” Every leftist must now purchase a firearm, join the NRA or GOA, spend time at a good range, buy the proper leather gear and learn to “get the stick out” ya’ know?
Huge distortions and exaggerations by MSNBC. Browning’s guns served the U.S. armed forces well in several wars. I guess if you’re a peacenik you’d find that to be horrible. Browning’s family also, sadly, suffered from hereditary madness, but that didn’t lead any of them to go out and shoot anybody else (IIRC there were a couple of suicides though).
I absolutely hate those wimpy looking triggers on HKs.
Give me a beefy Sig trig (non short recess trig) ANY day.
Are Raven’s made in CA?
It’s used by USSOCOM. But then, so is the P226.
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