December 7th, 2010 @ 6:00pm
By ksl.com
SALT LAKE CITY -- Soldiers used it in both World Wars and gun enthusiasts say it has defended American values, but does that mean the Browning 1911 handgun, designed by Ogden native John Browning, deserves a spot as Utah's state firearm? The idea is getting mixed reviews.
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Steve Gunn, with the Gun Violence Prevention Center, said, "I would prefer that if we adopt a firearm as our symbol, that we use something more modern like a .50 caliber sniper rifle or perhaps an assault rifle."
It's a sarcastic response to the idea of a state firearm from a man concerned about gun violence. Rep. Carl Wimmer, (R) Herriman,is serious about elevating this historic, semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun, though.
"This is not an implementation of death, this is an implementation of freedom. This is the firearm that helped win World War II, that helped win World War I and defend American values," Wimmer said.
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http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=13561290&autostart=yMore and video report at link.