[quote]Until this week, Utah had 24 state symbols, from tree (the blue spruce) to insect (the honeybee) to even cooking pot (the Dutch oven).
Now it's added an official state firearm -- the John M. Browning-designed M1911 pistol, becoming the first state in the nation to have one, according to the state legislator who sponsored the law.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed the new symbol into law this week.
State Rep. Carl Wimmer, a Republican who was a police officer and SWAT team commander, came up with the idea for a state firearm last year after hearing about how Pennsylvania lawmakers wanted to make the Pennsylvania long rifle its official state firearm, Wimmer told CNN on Friday.
That measure eventually failed, he said.
Wimmer selected the semi-automatic M1911 because gun maker Browning was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, and was the son of Utah pioneers who crossed the plains in the 1800s, Wimmer said.
This year is also the 100th anniversary of when the U.S. military chose the M1911 to be its standard-issue sidearm for all branches of service, Wimmer said. That's how the pistol got its name: "M" for military and 1911 for the year that the military began issuing the gun to all its servicemen and women, Wimmer said.
In a state more known for its strong Mormon traditions and breathtaking national parks, the creation of an official state firearm raised controversy, especially when the measure was pursued even after January's mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, that killed six persons and wounded 13 others, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The bill was introduced just before the horrific shootings, Wimmer said.
"People say the timing is terrible, and I admit the timing is terrible," Wimmer said. "We have a part-time legislature in Utah, and we are only in session for 45 days. Certainly meaning no disrespect to the tragedy in Arizona, we moved forward in doing this because it's the only opportunity that we had."
Other critics have said the new state symbol implicitly condones gun violence.
"There was more controversy than I anticipated, but it really passed with bipartisan support," Wimmer said. "One of the biggest comments from the critics was that we should not honor an implement of death. And my response to that has always been is that this firearm does not represent an implement of death. It represents an implement of freedom -- just the mere fact that our soldiers have used this firearm to defend liberty and freedom around the world for the last 100 years."
The governor's office played down the lethality of the new symbol and focused more on its creator.
"This bill isn't so much about a weapon as it is about honoring John Moses Browning, who was a Utah inventor and entrepreneur, and he repeatedly gave back to the state," said the governor's spokeswoman, Ally Isom.
The governor's office and both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Republicans.
The M1911 had been the standard issue in the military until about 15 years ago, when the Beretta 9mm became its common sidearm because it holds 15 rounds and the M1911 only eight, Wimmer said. However, the M1911 is still used by elite units like Delta Force, Wimmer said.
"I thought how appropriate that we honor John Moses Browning on the 100th anniversary of the U.S. military's adoption of the M1911 as their official pistol," Wimmer said.
"The list of firearms that he invented is too exhaustive for me to go into," Wimmer added about Browning. Wimmer owns a Browning-designed M1911, he said.
"Almost every military weapon that is currently in use today has one point or another been modeled after a Browning firearm," Wimmer said.
Wimmer, 35, is now considering running for Utah's fourth congressional seat, newly created after the latest census, he said. He was a SWAT commander, canine patrol officer and sex crimes detective in South Jordan, Utah, for seven years and then a patrol officer in West Valley City, Utah, for four years, he said.
He left the police force to serve in the state legislature and is now a partner in the security consulting firm Corporate Task Force in Riverton City, Utah, where he lives.
Addressing other critics who say he's merely seeking publicity for his possible congressional run, Wimmer responded: "People will second-guess everything I do and say everything I do is because of the congressional race, and it's simply not true."[/quote]
Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/18/utah.state.firearm/index.html?hpt=T2[/url]
Heard about this a while ago.
[editline]18th March 2011[/editline]
silly thing to do if you ask me
This was posted quite some time ago.
Meh, I don't mind.
It's the M1911's 100th anniversary.
Cut us gun-nuts some slack.
M1911 is a beast. Screw the smaller 9mm round. That .45 round will make sure your dead.
[QUOTE=Megafanx13;28679091]This was posted quite some time ago.[/QUOTE]
I think they were discussing the idea of it a while ago.
Now they've gone through with it, it seems.
Not like there's anything wrong with it, John Brownings pistol was an exceptionally awesome design.
Of course it's the 1911. What else is worthy
of the "official state gun " title?
An M1911? Classy.
[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;28679228]Of course it's the 1911. What else is worthy
of the "official state gun " title?[/QUOTE]
The Thompson M1A1, the M1 Garand, the M1918 BAR, the M16A1 (or the AR-15 platform)?
I'm surprised really.
I thought the Mormon was going to the be the state firearm.
I've always had a soft spot for the 1911. Such a nice pistol.
I vote that the official state firearm of Alaska be the Mosin Nagant
If it was just some flippant "state gun" then I might have a problem with it, but it is a famous gun made by a utah inventor, and the 100th anniversary, so whatevs.
[quote]my response to that has always been is that this firearm does not represent an implement of death. It represents an implement of freedom[/quote]that's just stupid. a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom. humanizing a gun is a bit of a strange concept.
if you rate me dumb i will shoot you!
[QUOTE=yuki;28679233]An M1911? Classy.
The Thompson M1A1, the M1 Garand, the M1918 BAR, the M16A1 (or the AR-15 platform)?[/QUOTE]
What about a AK47??
[editline]18th March 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679358]that's just stupid. a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom. humanizing a gun is a bit of a strange concept.[/QUOTE]
We would never have gained freedom if we didn't fight and take lives.
A gun shop close to me is having a year-long sale on 1911's in honor of the 100'th anniversary of them. I believe it's 10% off all new stock or something.
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28679370]What about a AK47??
[/QUOTE]
I'm sure the point is to choose an American-Made weapon.
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28679370]
We would never have gained freedom if we didn't fight and take lives.[/QUOTE]
:canada:
Not even through democratic means?
[QUOTE=Richard Simmons;28679370]
We would never have gained freedom if we didn't fight and take lives.[/QUOTE]
yeah that's something that would fit nicely on a commemorative patriot plaque but ultimately it means absolutely nothing
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679512]yeah that's something that would fit nicely on a commemorative patriot plaque but ultimately it means absolutely nothing[/QUOTE]
Because every single conflict in humanity's history since the invention of the firearm has actually been won in a peaceful, mature discussion. They just write down in history books about rebels fighting for peace or soldiers dieing for their country.
[QUOTE=Esrange;28679533]Because every single conflict in humanity's history since the invention of the firearm has actually been won in a peaceful, mature discussion. They just write down in history books about rebels fighting for peace or soldiers dieing for their country.[/QUOTE]
and that's sarcasm intended to convince me of what? that freedom is about a handgun?
i have no issue with honouring an inventor or what he's done for a state, but a little sanity is something I appreciate and there's something really really not sane with this idea that a gun is going to be honoured as some kind of humane freedom device because it was used in a war or whatever the rational is
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679358]that's just stupid. a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom.[/QUOTE]
Some people seem to think otherwise.
[img]http://www.topnews.in/files/mozambique-flag.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679358]that's just stupid. a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom. humanizing a gun is a bit of a strange concept.[/QUOTE]
Weapons aren't good or bad, they neither give freedom or take it away. Amoral pieces of hardly-sophisticated metal and polymer that can kill. Lots of things fit that description.
In any case not all states have "state guns" and why the fuck do you care, you probably don't live in Utah and they probably don't give a shit about your opinion.
[QUOTE=s0beit;28679687]Weapons aren't good or bad, they neither give freedom or take it away. Amoral pieces of hardly-sophisticated metal and polymer that can kill. Lots of things fit that description.[/QUOTE]
uh yeah that's exactly what i mean
[QUOTE=s0beit;28679687]In any case not all states have "state guns" and why the fuck do you care, you probably don't live in Utah and they probably don't give a shit about your opinion.[/QUOTE]
cuz it's a forum duh
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679594]and that's sarcasm intended to convince me of what? that freedom is about a handgun?
i have no issue with honouring an inventor or what he's done for a state, but a little sanity is something I appreciate and there's something really really not sane with this idea that a gun is going to be honoured as some kind of humane freedom device because it was used in a war or whatever the rational is[/QUOTE]
I respect your opinion that you don't want killing machines glorified but
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679594]a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom[/QUOTE]
This can be put up for debate. This particular firearm has been used in three major wars and has been used to protect military personnel and officers of the law to this very day. It's more become a symbol of American engineering and design. Plus those who've used it or know of those who put their trust into a 1911 to protect them may feel that it's no longer a few pounds of steel and lead but a metaphorical shield that really does keep them safe.
I don't have the exact example on me, but I believe there's an African nation with an ak47 on their flag because it was the cornerstone of a successful rebellion, without it they probably wouldn't have won.
But I'll say that this is my opinion, I don't plan on swaying you to 'my' side nor am I calling you wrong or stupid for having an opinion other than mine. If you disagree it's ok, I'm just putting my thoughts out.
[QUOTE=mastermaul;28679636]Some people seem to think otherwise.
[img_thumb]http://www.topnews.in/files/mozambique-flag.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
Ahh that's what I was thinking!
Mozambique if anyone's wondering.
By similar reasoning, one could say that killing people has secured freedom for other people in every conflict, and therefore killing is a symbol of freedom.
Killing, like guns, is sometimes necessary, but it itself is not a (healthy) symbol of freedom.
I fucking love the M1911. It shows that things designed back in the day were designed with longevity in mind, whereas shit today is [I]designed[/I] to break in a year or two. I miss the good old days when "planned obsolescence" was unheard of.
[QUOTE=Master117;28679894]I fucking love the M1911. It shows that things designed back in the day were designed with longevity in mind, whereas shit today is [I]designed[/I] to break in a year or two. I miss the good old days when "planned obsolescence" was unheard of.[/QUOTE]
I don't think any firearms made today are made to break in a year or two, lol
[QUOTE=thisispain;28679358]that's just stupid. a firearm is a deadly weapon, not a symbol for freedom. humanizing a gun is a bit of a strange concept.[/QUOTE]
Or how about any object can symbolize anything since symbolism is entirely subjective
You always (rightly) attack people who say something "isn't art", so who are you to say what is and isn't symbolic of something
[QUOTE=Zeke129;28680632]Or how about any object can symbolize anything since symbolism is entirely subjective
You always (rightly) attack people who say something "isn't art", so who are you to say what is and isn't symbolic of something[/QUOTE]
huh you've got a point
i don't think i've ever claimed i was without contradictions [URL="javascript:FR_InsertTextHelper(%20'vB_Editor_QR_textarea',%20':smug:'%20);"][IMG]http://cdn.fpcontent.net/fp/emoot/smug.gif[/IMG][/URL]
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