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List of U.S. state firearms

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A state firearm has been designated by ten states in the United States: Alaska, Arizona, Utah, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri.

States

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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."[1] 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.[2]

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.[3]

In June 2013, Kentucky adopted the Kentucky long rifle as its state firearm.[4]

In June 2014, Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania long rifle as its state firearm.[5]

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.[6]

In May 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a resolution declaring the Colt Walker to be the official Texas state firearm.[7]

In July 2023, Missouri governor Mike Parson signed bill SB139, which designated the Hawken rifle as the official state rifle. [8]

Table of state firearms

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State Firearm Image Date of adoption Note
Alaska Pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 July 2014 [9]
Arizona Colt Single Action Army revolver "God created men, Samuel Colt made then equal." April 2011 [2]
Indiana Grouseland Rifle — March 2012 [10]
Kentucky Kentucky long rifle June 25, 2013 [4]
Missouri Hawken rifle — July 6, 2023 [8]
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania long rifle — June 26, 2014 [5]
Tennessee Barrett M82
February 24, 2016 [11]
Texas Colt Walker May 2021 [7]
Utah M1911 pistol March 2011 [1]
West Virginia Hall Model 1819 flintlock rifle April 2013 [12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Dobuzinskis, Alex (April 29, 2011). "Utah becomes first in U.S. to designate official state gun". Reuters. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Schwartz, David (April 29, 2011). "Arizona governor makes Colt revolver official state gun". Reuters. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  3. ^ Kelly, Niki (March 7, 2012). "Antique firearm named state rifle". The Journal Gazette. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 2.156". Kentucky Legislation. June 25, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Act of Jun. 26, 2014, P.L. 783, No. 73".
  6. ^ Bohrer, Becky (July 30, 2014). "Parnell signs bill designating state gun". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.
  7. ^ a b Gonzalez, Ana (May 24, 2021). "The official gun of Texas: Gov. Abbott names this historic handgun in most Texas move ever". click2houston.com.
  8. ^ a b Dowell, Liz (September 27, 2023). "Missouri adds the Hawken Rifle as a state symbol". fox2now.com.
  9. ^ "Parnell signs bill designating state gun". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  10. ^ State of Indiana. "Indiana Code 1-2-13". Office of Code Revision Indiana Legislative Services Agency. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  11. ^ "HJR 0231". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "Legislature Adopts Rifle as Official W.Va. Firearm". WSAZ. April 4, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
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1. Official Website displaying photograph of the Grouseland Rifle: http://www.grouselandfoundation.org/new.html

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