Utah to adopt Browning M1911 pistol as first ever state gun

[sweetwater]

I found this website after hearing about it on CNN this afternoon.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...ing-M1911-pistol-as-first-ever-state-gun.html

I think gun control is responsible use of a firearm. The U.S. constitution allows me to own a firearm, but I don't own a firearm, don't plan on getting one, haven't fired one in about thirty years, and don't plan on any of these. However, I don't think Utah needs to do this.

What do you think?

Sweetwater

 

[Tigers' WOOD!]

The Browning M1911 is an antiquated firearm. To have a state pistol is a statement that they are a pro gun state.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I wonder who Utah's Official State Redneck is?

 

[sweetwater]

I wonder who Utah's Official State Redneck is?

LOL, rumples. Probably the kissing cousin of the brainiac who came up with this idea.
Sweetwater

 

[Aeolus]

It's nice to know that once elected, our representatives are hard at work passing laws declaring state trees, state flowers, state birds, and now state guns. It's a good thing legislators aren't wasting their time trying to balance budgets, stimulate economic growth, or improve access to health care and higher education.

While I think the designation of a state gun is silly, I do recognize the M1911 as a classic firearm that has withstood the test of time better than most weapons. It's kind of like the B-52 bomber of the handgun world; it's still going after all of these years. At a time when technology makes things obsolete in a matter of months, it's refreshing to see a consumer product that has made it a full century.

Hopefully, they don't get too carried away out there in Utah. If they declare a state religion, that will be going too far.

 

[hungry101]

The 1911 was developed after the Spanish-American war and the Philippine insurrection. The Army issue .38 Long Colt didn't have the stopping power required. The drugged up natives would charge US soldiers and after taking several rounds would keep coming. The 1911 in .45 acp was the standard sidearm for nearly years. It was replaced by the Beretta 92 FS in 9mm I believe in 85. the Beretta is a fine garrison gun but I know Marines that said you can't take them in the field because it features an open slide and jams very easy - not to mention the 9mm does not nearly have the stopping power of the .45 acp. In fact many of our armed forces personnel are going back to the 1911. It is a man stopper. The 1911 was designed by none other than John Browning who in my opinion was a genius inventor. He invented the first semi auto shotgun, gave the working man an affordable over and under shotgun (prior to Browning only royalty owned them), the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). He also is a son of Utah.

"With over 30 million firearms based on his designs, John Moses Browning is one of America's most accomplished weapons inventors. Browning invented and patented the gas-operated return mechanism for rifles, which eliminated the need to load each shot by hand. With his invention, every time a person pulled the trigger a new round could be fired."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1911_pistol
http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/322.html
http://www.american-inventor.com/john-moses-browning.aspx

 

[Merlot]

Hello all,

It's nice to know that once elected, our representatives are hard at work passing laws declaring state trees, state flowers, state birds, and now state guns. It's a good thing legislators aren't wasting their time trying to balance budgets, stimulate economic growth, or improve access to health care and higher education.

While I think the designation of a state gun is silly, I do recognize the M1911 as a classic firearm that has withstood the test of time better than most weapons. It's kind of like the B-52 bomber of the handgun world; it's still going after all of these years. At a time when technology makes things obsolete in a matter of months, it's refreshing to see a consumer product that has made it a full century.

Hopefully, they don't get too carried away out there in Utah. If they declare a state religion, that will be going too far.

Sadly, I agree. While it really doesn't change anything to have an official "state gun"...it's obviously one of those ploys to reinforce misconceptions about Constitutional rights that have become ingrained among those who don't understand the intent of the second amendment...and don't want to when the truth conflicts with their personal selfish preferences. For example, the National Rifle Association has the Second Amendment engraved on it's headquarters building...except for the segment: "A well regulated militia". Clearly even the NRA knows this throws doubt on their claim that all individuals have the right to own guns or they would not have eliminated it from the engraving. That phrase is so worrisome to Conservatives and so-called gun advocates that in 2008 and 2010 the conservative Supreme Court attacked it by declaring an individual had a "right to possess a firearm, unconnected to service in a militia". This move can be viewed as clarification, but the necessity of the move itself shows just how much doubt the militia aspect of the amendment had cast on the pro-gun ownership view by the founding fathers themselves. If that wasn't the case, why bother???

But overall, it's sad that while the U.S. struggles with so many serious issues at a very critical time, our elected government representatives take the time to worry about having a official "state gun".

Sweetwater, having a "state gun" is pro-gun feel good nonsense demonstrating grossly misplaced priorities.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[sweetwater]

It's nice to know that once elected, our representatives are hard at work passing laws declaring state trees, state flowers, state birds, and now state guns. It's a good thing legislators aren't wasting their time trying to balance budgets, stimulate economic growth, or improve access to health care and higher education.

While I think the designation of a state gun is silly, I do recognize the M1911 as a classic firearm that has withstood the test of time better than most weapons. It's kind of like the B-52 bomber of the handgun world; it's still going after all of these years. At a time when technology makes things obsolete in a matter of months, it's refreshing to see a consumer product that has made it a full century.

Hopefully, they don't get too carried away out there in Utah. If they declare a state religion, that will be going too far.

I agree, Aeolus. There are many more pressing issues than having an official gun. I think there is an unofficial state religion. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, or the Mormons and is headquartered in Salt Lake City. Most Utah residents that regularly attend church are Mormons. Utah has an official cooking pot, too.

...
Sweetwater, having a "state gun" is pro-gun feel good nonsense demonstrating grossly misplaced priorities.

Cheers,

Merlot

Well said, Merlot.

Browning pistols were made in Morgan City, Utah.

Yes, they used to be. Now manufactured in Belgium, Italy, Japan, and The U.S., with some models assembled in Portugal.
Sweetwater

 

[hungry101]

I collect Browning long guns and Ogden Utah is printed on the side of many of their firearms. Many say Montreal Quebec on the side. I think that these are cities where they are imported into for assembly but I am not sure. The Belgian Brownings fetch the most money from collectors but the Japanese Brownings are very high quality but not nearly as favored by collectors even though the experts say they are just as good.

Americans enjoy many personal freedoms. The right to own a gun is a right I enjoy.

Besides, the Winchester model 94 is the official gun of the US Winter Olympic team

 

[Marlow]

If Utah is declaring the Browning 1911 to be the state gun, it is just a statement to the federal government that they do not want gun control. This is a knee jerk reaction to the recent shootings in Arizona.