Legislature set to approve state gun for Utah

By The AP
Thursday, February 10, 2011

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate has given tentative approval to a bill declaring a semiautomatic pistol as the official state gun.

Republican Sen. Mark Madsen of Lehi says the state gun honors John M. Browning, who invented the M1911 semiautomatic pistol 100 years ago.

Browning was a native of Utah and the son of Mormon pioneers.

Madsen says the gun is an important symbol of freedom and has been a prized weapon for American soldiers.

Democratic Sen. Gene Davis of Salt Lake City sarcastically suggested because of the attention the state gun has generated nationally, it might make even more sense to arm the bees on the state flag with the gun.

The Senate could give final approval to the bill this morning.

The House has already passed the bill.