The ease with which we allow sadistic nutbags to get high-powered guns is so gross.
But, there are a lot of guns out there, so why try to fix it, right?
Unfortunately, we live in a gun culture and that's not changing any time soon (if ever).
I just learned the other day that 10 states have official state firearms. Now, you might think that's not something completely out of the ordinary because of the history of firearms in the founding of the country... and it was done at a time when it made some sense (no mass shootings.... every time you turn around). But nope, the first official state firearm came about in 2011 (Utah/Arizona) and the most recent was in 2023 (Missouri). And then you have 2nd Amendment sanctuary states/counties/cities. Might as well just get rid of the stars on the flag and replace them with firearm silhouettes.
en.wikipedia.org
In March 2011,
Utah adopted the
M1911 pistol as its state firearm. This gun was designed by
Ogden, Utah native
John Browning. The adoption was supported by Republican
Utah State Representative
Carl Wimmer, who said, "It does capture a portion of Utah's history" and "even bigger than that, it captures a portion of American history."<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a> The adoption was opposed by Democratic Utah State Representative Brian King who said, "When we are talking about a state symbol we would do well to come up with one that is more unifying than divisive and this is a very divisive symbol for obvious reasons. This is just a poor choice for a state symbol".
In April 2011,
Arizona Governor
Jan Brewer signed a bill into law which designated the
Colt Single Action Army Revolver as Arizona's state firearm.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a>
In March 2012,
Indiana adopted the Grouseland rifle as its state firearm. This rifle is kept at Grouseland, the home of President
William Henry Harrison and was made between 1803 and 1812 by John Small, who later became the first sheriff in the state. "This rifle and its maker are both integral parts of Indiana history, and as such, the rifle is worthy of its designation as the Indiana State Rifle," said Senator
John Waterman.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a>
In June 2013,
Kentucky adopted the Kentucky
long rifle as its state firearm.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a>
In June 2014,
Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania
long rifle as its state firearm.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a>
In July 2014,
Alaska adopted the pre-1964
Winchester Model 70 rifle as its state firearm. The bill, sponsored by Senate President
Charlie Huggins, refers to the gun as the "rifleman's rifle." The bill says the gun helped Alaskans "establish a firm foothold" in the wilderness between 1930 and 1963.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>6<span>]</span></a>
In May 2021,
Texas Governor
Greg Abbott signed a resolution declaring the
Colt Walker to be the official Texas state firearm.<a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>7<span>]</span></a>
In July 2023,
Missouri governor
Mike Parson signed bill SB139, which designated the
Hawken rifle as the official state rifle. <a href="
List of U.S. state firearms - Wikipedia"><span>[</span>8<span>]</span></a>
