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June 18, 2009
The Pennsy State Gun - 8
by J.R. Absher
Most states have an official flower, song, flag, mammal or even fish. But thanks to the dedication of some devotees of historic firearms, Pennsylvania may soon be the first to have an official state gun. In late May, State Sen. Pat Browne of Allentown, Pennsylvania introduced legislation designating the historic Pennsylvania Rifle as the official firearm of The Keystone State.
“The Pennsylvania Rifle was the first truly American firearm and, due to its exceptional accuracy and range, was considered the greatest achievement in the development of firearms during the 18th century,” the bill states, in part.
The legislation is the result of several years of hard work by historic firearms lovers in Pennsylvania, in particular those affiliated with the Jacobsburg Historical Society’s Pennsylvania Long Rifle Museum.
“We have been working toward this resolution, actively with Rep. Craig Dally, for the last three years,” said Museum president Dave Ehrig. “It was only after a summit at the museum, followed by a luncheon reception for Sen. Pat Browne, did the good senator become swayed. We are excited about the future!”
Ehrig also serves as director of the Longhunter Society for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA), which scores and records outstanding big game animals taken exclusively with muzzle-loading firearms.
An early handcrafted Pennsylvania longrifle built in the mid to late 1700s could take 200-300 hours to craft, especially in the days when barrels were hand-forged.
“They are one of the pure forms of American art form,” said firearms historian Tim Lubenesky. “Almost every kind of art was brought from other parts of the world but the Kentucky Rifle or Pennsylvania Longrifle and its four-piece engraved brass patchbox is unique to the Americas. No place else does it exist.”
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Comments (8)
Great Idea!! Props to Pennsylvania for starting off.
As a resident of John Moses Browning's home state, I call dibs on the 1911 for Utah.
I think Florida's state gun is the Saturday night special (unofficially). But seriously, this is a great idea. Props to Pennsylvania. Florida should probably go with a Civil War era weapon, since Tallahassee is the only Confederate capital that wasn't taken by the North.
It's nice to see a gun recognized, at least until it is banned or declared illegal by the courts.
Good thinking Pennsylvania,why not have a state gun for every state,since it was a gun that won the freedom for each and every American,seems the libs. who enjoy such freedom,over look that in there agendas.
BRBB, the libs only enjoy freedom when they are the ones who are free to do as they please but anyone they disagree with cannot have freedom because the ones who disagree are not as equal as the libs are. (See "Animal Farm" by G Orwell, ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS)
Hope this actually comes to pass - it is a great idea. Supporters of gun rights should always have a forward leaning strategy.
To MazPower: The 1911, how about the "HI-Power", The BAR, etc. the list does go on.
Congrats. to Penn. though.
If Alberta was to select an historic firearm it would not be anything as elegant as the Pennsylvania long rifle but it would be a tough old work horse. The Snider-Enfield found its way into the farm porch of many early settlers. It was the ofd muzzleloading 1853 Enfield that was converted to a breechloading .577 rifle. Even the makers of the old Pennsylvania rifles would have appreciated salvaging the old with the new models. I still find shooters rigging loads for the old Sniders at the local ranges. A little piece of frontier history, frugal but functional that makes a decent statement about the people of the times.
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Good thinking Pennsylvania,why not have a state gun for every state,since it was a gun that won the freedom for each and every American,seems the libs. who enjoy such freedom,over look that in there agendas.
BRBB, the libs only enjoy freedom when they are the ones who are free to do as they please but anyone they disagree with cannot have freedom because the ones who disagree are not as equal as the libs are. (See "Animal Farm" by G Orwell, ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS)
Great Idea!! Props to Pennsylvania for starting off.
As a resident of John Moses Browning's home state, I call dibs on the 1911 for Utah.
I think Florida's state gun is the Saturday night special (unofficially). But seriously, this is a great idea. Props to Pennsylvania. Florida should probably go with a Civil War era weapon, since Tallahassee is the only Confederate capital that wasn't taken by the North.
It's nice to see a gun recognized, at least until it is banned or declared illegal by the courts.
Hope this actually comes to pass - it is a great idea. Supporters of gun rights should always have a forward leaning strategy.
To MazPower: The 1911, how about the "HI-Power", The BAR, etc. the list does go on.
Congrats. to Penn. though.
If Alberta was to select an historic firearm it would not be anything as elegant as the Pennsylvania long rifle but it would be a tough old work horse. The Snider-Enfield found its way into the farm porch of many early settlers. It was the ofd muzzleloading 1853 Enfield that was converted to a breechloading .577 rifle. Even the makers of the old Pennsylvania rifles would have appreciated salvaging the old with the new models. I still find shooters rigging loads for the old Sniders at the local ranges. A little piece of frontier history, frugal but functional that makes a decent statement about the people of the times.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)