Utah's Senate is considering a bill that recognizes a handgun as an official state symbol, a potential national first that has provoked outrage from anti-violence activists. The measure to honor the semiautomatic M1911 handgun was passed by the state House this week, where its sponsor called the gun — created by Utah gunmaker John Moses Browning — "an implement of freedom that has defended America for 100 years." But the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah said the move sends a terrible message, because semi-automatic pistols "are the weapons of choice for those who are committing massacres," such as the recent Arizona rampage. Is Utah's government tone-deaf?
Bad idea, worse timing: After the Tuscon massacre, where a similar firearm was employed, this is "hardly the most sensitive timing," says Guy Adams in Britain's The Independent. It's not exactly surprising, given that Utah has some of the most "relaxed gun laws" anywhere, but it's easy to understand why gun-control advocates don't think "an implement designed for killing people" is something even "trigger-happy" lawmakers should be celebrating.
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