Utah Rules!

I was recruited by the University of Utah (academically, not athletically). It didn't work out for a variety of reasons, but ever since then I've had a fond place in my heart for a state that has the ability to recognize outstanding talent (*modest cough*).

Now comes more evidence that the good folks in Utah have their heads rightly screwed on their shoulders.

Utah has become the first U.S. state to name an official firearm, placing an automatic pistol on a list of designated symbols, right along with the honeybee and the cutthroat trout.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed the bill into law this week, designating the Browning model M1911 automatic pistol as the official state firearm.

Excellent choice!

The gun, which turns 100 years-old this year, is manufactured in Ogden, Utah.

"It does capture a portion of Utah's history," Utah State Representative Carl Wimmer, a Republican who sponsored the bill, told Reuters.

"Even bigger than that, it captures a portion of American history," Wimmer said.

The late John M. Browning, who founded the company that makes the gun, was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1855 and he lived until 1926. He designed the automatic pistol for the U.S. Army, which was bogged down in sporadic battles with guerrilla fighters in the Philippines and needed a quick-firing weapon.

Not only quick-firing, but with more stopping power than the then-standard military issue .38 revolver.

In response to problems encountered by American units fighting Moro guerrillas during the Philippine-American War ... the .38 Long Colt was found to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power, as the Moros had very high battle morale and frequently used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain. ... the heavier bullet (.45 caliber) was found to be more effective against charging tribesmen.

Effective not just against charging tribesmen, but also against every opponent since. The caliber of choice for discriminating pistoleros.

The pistol was adopted for use by the Army in March 1911, which is how it got the name Model 1911. It was first combat tested by the U.S. military in Mexico in 1916, in the pursuit of bandit-turned-revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa.

Of course, we have the obligatory whining.

Utah State Representative Brian King, a Democrat, opposed the designation.

"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," he said. "This is just a poor choice for a state symbol."

Divisive? About the only divisiveness I can think of would be between .45 ACP and .40 caliber proponents. Otherwise the M1911 is just about universally respected for its soundness of design and reliable stopping power.

I own one, and my only quibble is that it's a little too bulky for concealed carry. (Well, that and the fact that its capacity is limited to 7+1. But if you know what you're doing, that should be enough.)

So rock on, Utah.

(H/T to PowerLine for the link and the graphic.)