If you had asked me what pro-gun bills might be at the top of my priority list, I might have ranked making sure Pennsylvania has an official state gun somewhere down with a house resolution making next February “Gunsmith Awareness Month”. That said, I don’t have any issue with Pennsylvania making the rifle named after the state (don’t let those dirty Kentuckians tell you it’s a Kentucky Rifle) its official gun.
Capitol Ideas is reporting that CeaseFire Pennsylvania is taking a position against this muzzle loading, black powder, flintlock being our official state gun, suggesting that “The last thing the Pennsylvania General Assembly should be doing is designating an official state rifle.” Next time I see some gang member toting around a muzzle loading flintlock, I might at least understand the opposition, even if I don’t agree with it. But do we really have to have a debate about this?
Joe Grace would no doubt prefer a debate about “Lost and Stolen” ordinances, and he says as much, but Joe needs to explain why he’s gotten almost two dozen municipalities to pass these ordinances, yet we have zero prosecutions. Two of those municipalities are Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. You’d think if this was such an important crime fighting tool, it might have been used once or twice by now.
Meh…. whatever…
Back in the 1960’s this question was supposedly put to rest by the Kentucky and Pennsylvania Historical Societies. They settled the matter with a shooting competition, winner got naming rights. The Kentucky team won.
http://www.johno.myiglou.com/kyrifle.htm
[begin excerpt]
The earliest documentable reference to a generic name for this unique rifle was 1825, and a song about the battle for New Orleans during the war of 1812. The Hunters of Kentucky extolled the virtues of a Kentucky regiment, perhaps a bit too glowingly, but, hey, it’s a song.
In it, there is a line about “Kentucky Riflesâ€. The song contains no description of a long barreled, slender stocked rifle, just one reference to “Kentucky Rifle”. For this reason, it is safe to assume that the name was in use prior to 1825, otherwise those hearing the song would have no clue what the lyrics referred to.
It is also called the Pennsylvania Rifle. As a geographical term, there is merit to this name. The bulk of Kentucky rifles were made in Pennsylvania, though examples were made in just about every state in the Union at the time. However, this rifle was not traditionally referred to as the Pennsylvania rifle.
The earliest references I’ve found to “Pennsylvania Rifle†dates to 1928, and Dillon’s book, which makes brief use of the term in a later chapter. To put it in perspective, Dillon’s book is titled: “The Kentucky Rifleâ€. So, we can reasonably assume that Pennsylvania Rifle is probably a 20th century term, with more of an interest in location than historical significance.
However, if one uses the term “Pennsylvania Rifle†as a measure of geographical accuracy, the actual name would be ‘The Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee Rifle’. That’s a mouthful. And I’ve probably missed a few states.
[end excerpt]
CeaseFirePA is looking for any means to mention L&S laws. This is just another way to get headlines.
Joe Grace is a articulate speaker and passionate representative of his cause. (IMHO) But, his L&S cause is getting voted down at various towns now that gun owners have stood up to present the facts to their elected local officials.
Zero prosecutions is strong history of the past 18 months. Pittsburgh and Philly make upwards of 3 million folks and they have some serious criminals.
Zero lives saved, Zero ADA use, Zero prosecutions.
We could just call them “long rifles”.