Utah recently took a huge symbolic step forward by naming the Browning M1911 the state's official gun.
This is the first state to take such action, although Arizona is thinking of doing the same, naming the Colt single-action as Arizona's state gun.
Far too many people are crying foul over these symbolic gestures. They are missing the vast, rich history and love affair this great country has had with the firearm.
Guns enable us to protect ourselves and our loved ones. They are the reason we could fight and win our independence through the Revolutionary War, and they supply hours of fun for families all across America.
I remember taking "shooting sports" in 4-H and going out with my dad to the North Porter County Conservation Club to shoot. Funny enough, The Times was there and ran a story (July 13, 1996, "Hunters Armed But Not Dangerous") about that shooting class. I guess I've come full circle.
Shooting one's first gun is often a rite of passage for a young boy or girl. I remember plinking little peppermint candies off of targets with my first .22, and shooting clay pigeons out of the air with the old 20-gauge. But more important, I remember spending quality time with my father as he taught me the proper ways to handle the firearms both safely and efficiently. These are the memories and thoughts of thousands of other Americans.
Yes, there are those who use these weapons for illegal, horrible, means. However, when one compares the number of legal gun owners who don't abuse these rights to the number of illegal gun owners (or legal gun owners but commit illegal acts, thus usually forfeiting their gun rights in the form of a felony conviction), the former greatly outnumbers the latter.
To turn Utah's homage to one of the most famous gun designers in America into some kind of anti-gun propaganda message is a disingenuous dismissal of our heritage and our Second Amendment rights.
In fact, the anti-gun groups upset with government in Utah for naming a state gun don't realize the dangers of not recognizing guns and being educated. We should all look for every opportunity possible to educate our youth about what a gun is, how not to operate one, and what to do in a situation where a gun is being misused.
Every youngster should know not to point a gun at a person, even if the gun isn't loaded, and should know to ask every time, when being handed a gun, "Is this gun loaded?" But far too many don't. This is how accidents happen, because of ignorance.
Rather than giving the blanket statement that guns are bad, if anti-gunners cared half as much about really protecting people from firearm deaths as they say they do, we'd be teaching these things in school and symbolic gestures wouldn't be unduly criticized.
Instead, they would rather push for bans on so-called assault weapon bans (which, when asked exactly what constitutes an assault weapon, the answers given are vague and unsure) under the claim that it is in the name of stopping crime (although assault weapons are rarely used in robberies and homicides because it is not a practical weapon for those purposes).
The same goes for extended clips, unreasonable laws on transportation of weapons, ridiculous laws making getting a gun permit in some cities and states almost impossible, and many others.
I say, let's celebrate the great things gun ownership has done for our country and for our general well-being.
How about an Indiana state gun? Eugene Stoner, born in Gosport, Ind., is credited for significant designs and work on the AR-15 and the M16, among others. I think the residents of Indiana would welcome such an idea with open arms.
Travis Gearhart, of Hebron, is a student at Ashford University, an online-only school.The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.
