American Handgunner Jul/Aug 2011 - Jeffersonian

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GUNCRANKDIARIES John Connor TM EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS 50 States, 50 Guns: As I scribble this, Utah bill HB219 sits on Governor Gary Herbert’s desk waiting for his signature. Given Hizzoner’s past position on firearm issues and the overwhelming support this measure received in the state House and Senate, it seems certain he’ll sign it into law within days (They did. Editor). When he does, Utah will become the first and only state with an official State Firearm: John Moses Browning’s M1911 pistol. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Yup; a State Firearm! How cool is that? Let’s say it again and let it sink in: The first and only state with an official State Firearm! This is what I call “a good start.” Years ago there was a significant effort to adopt the flintlock Pennsylvania Long Rifle as that state’s official firearm. While it enjoyed popular support state-wide, the idea was apparently strangled in its crib by the usual entrenched political powers of Phila- Thinkin’ Tactical Since designating a state symbol had nothin’ to do with “More guns on the streets!” or expanding concealedcarry privileges, the opposition was deprived of most of their arsenal of irrational scare-tactic rhetoric. As it turned out, all it really gave ‘em was an opportunity to look petty, juvenile and silly. On the one hand, they couldn’t argue that “It’s only a meaningless symbol, like the Dutch Oven being Utah’s official cookin’ pot, so why pass it?” To do that, they would alienate fans of all 26 state symbols. On the other, they couldn’t generate any interest for a claim that “This spells the end of civilization!” The best they could come up with were whimpers and jibes, and the debate also flushed out some “stealth socialists” who had been Introducing… The Official State Firearm of Utah, the 1911! *“Trustafarians”: You’ve seen ‘em; affluent trustfund layabouts who dress like Rastafarians and frequent bistros and counterculture theatres ... One Down, 49 to Go trying to look “gun-neutral.” One expressed dismay because usually, “These designations come to us from elementary schoolchildren.” So adults can’t name a state symbol? Arguing that “Guns are only for killing!” didn’t fly either, as the grownups asked, “So our police only need guns to oppress and kill innocent people? Our soldiers only need guns as tools of genocide, rape and plunder? Citizens shouldn’t have guns for selfdefense? Guns aren’t lawful tools, freezer-fillers, peace-keepers?” These are debates we can win, folks! One state senator tried the sniggering-sophisticated approach, asking why not emblazon a gun on the state flag, or arm the bees on the flag? The grownups just looked at him like, “Are you nine years old or what?” I think Let’s Get Rollin’! delphia. A handful of similar acts in other states were also shrieked down by hordes of hoplophobic harpies. Maybe this “first” could only have happened in Utah, but now, the time might be right to carry the theme across the country. Utah is overall and inarguably a gun-friendly state, despite the effects of the Yuppie Invasion of the ’80s. The Lib-Leftie influence is mostly limited to the (Hat’s off to pistolsmith Terry Tussey for supplying the guns for the picture!) white wine & stinky cheese centers of Salt Lake City and a few smaller trustafarian* strongholds. It’s also the birthplace and family home of John Moses Browning, native son of Ogden, and the immensely profitable, jobs-creating corporate home of the global business bearing his name. This made it awfully tough — and politically dangerous — for Utah’s gun-haters to vilify the man or his legacy. While HB219 was moving through the legislature, Utah celebrated John Moses Browning Day on January 24 th , with hardly a squeak from the sidelines. Interesting, huh? he had to rack that one up in the “lost credibility” column. All of this was watched closely by elected representatives in other states, and the question is not IF, but WHEN similar bills start poppin’ up. And that’s only right. Our founding fathers’ most unanimous faith was that self-defense and the right to bear arms for that purpose are God-given; universal human rights which no just government should infringe. And don’t think of official state guns as “just a symbol,” but as a symbol — a symbol of the fundamental difference between citizens — and subjects. The most successful waves of state laws of the past decade have been “Castle Doctrine” acts, Right to Self- Defense laws, and concealed-carry legislation. That’s a tide to ride, friends. Here’s your chance to help. Go to www.americanhandgunner. com and click on the link on the home page saying “Vote for your state gun!” It’ll link to my Guncrank column. There, you Why shouldn’t every state have an official firearm? can leave a comment. Keep it to 50 words or less, but tell us your What should it be? Which state has the best claim state, which gun you vote for and why it fits your state. We’ll on the Peacemaker? The legendary Winchester ’94? keep a running tally so you’ll be able to see the results. When we The Colt Walker Dragoon? The Merwin Hulbert First Model have a couple bushels of ‘em, we’ll get them to the right “State” Army Revolver? The iconic Springfield ’03? The .36 Navy people. Sorry, but we don’t have staff to receive snail-mail, 1858 Remington New Model? Which gun best fits Alaska, FAXes, smoke signals, semaphore or heliograph. Alabama, Maryland or Missouri? Now let’s get rollin’! Connor OUT. * 36 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • JULY/AUGUST <strong>2011</strong>
Introducing the Kimber Solo 9mm. The all-new Solo Carry (left) and Solo Carry Stainless are the most accurate, shootable and dependable 9mm micro-compacts ever offered. Kimber quality has come to small pistols. Ambidextrous thumb safety and magazine release are 1911-inspired, making operation positive, intuitive and fast. The Solo grip design encourages natural target alignment and ensures both comfortable shooting and control. Solo pistols have a single action striker-fi red trigger system with the smooth and consistent pull required for best accuracy. One of the most signifi cant fi rearm introductions in a generation, the Solo 9mm puts unequaled Kimber ® quality, performance and dependability in a micro-compact pistol. Weighing just 17 ounces and only 5.5 inches long, they are easy to carry. Near-perfect 1911 ergonomics, smooth trigger pull and well-designed sights make them easy to shoot accurately. Built to last, both models have stainless steel slides and barrels, plus frames machined from the fi nest aluminum. Solo pistols deliver unequaled micro-compact performance - just what you expect from Kimber. ©<strong>2011</strong> Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instruction manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request. Kimber, One Lawton Street, Yonkers, NY 10705 (800) 880-2418 T H E C H O I C E O F A M E R I C A ’ S B E S T kimberamerica.com
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