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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| SENATE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, FONTANA, RAFFERTY, YAW, SOLOBAY, D. WHITE, ERICKSON, ALLOWAY, BRUBAKER, BOSCOLA, McILHINNEY, WAUGH, FOLMER, STACK AND MENSCH, FEBRUARY 18, 2011 |
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| REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 18, 2011 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Designating the Pennsylvania Rifle as the official firearm of |
2 | the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. |
3 | WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's gunmaking tradition has played an |
4 | important role in the development of the United States of |
5 | America; and |
6 | WHEREAS, During Pennsylvania's early history, settlers placed |
7 | chief reliance on their rifles for sustenance, security and |
8 | survival; and |
9 | WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Rifle, a unique firearm that was |
10 | different in principle and outline from any other weapon in the |
11 | world, was developed by skilled gunsmiths in the Moravian |
12 | community of Christian's Spring, Northampton County, as well as |
13 | by artistic riflemaker Martin Meylin, in Willow Street, |
14 | Lancaster County; and |
15 | WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Rifle was the first truly American |
16 | firearm and, due to its exceptional accuracy and range, was |
17 | considered the greatest achievement in the development of |
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1 | firearms during the 18th century; and |
2 | WHEREAS, Playing an important role in the early years of the |
3 | Industrial Revolution in Pennsylvania and New England, the |
4 | Pennsylvania Rifle was also instrumental in the American fur |
5 | trade and was carried west and south by frontiersmen as they set |
6 | out to expand the boundaries of the nation; and |
7 | WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Rifle has been lauded for its |
8 | beauty and craftsmanship, as well as the ingenuity of the |
9 | skilled gunsmiths who crafted it; and |
10 | WHEREAS, The color combinations, carvings, engravings and |
11 | graceful slenderness of the Pennsylvania Rifle cause it to stand |
12 | alone and remain unchallenged as a primary example of early |
13 | American art; and |
14 | WHEREAS, Future generations deserve the right to appreciate |
15 | the heritage of this long-barreled rifle, born to artistic |
16 | gunsmiths in the communities of this Commonwealth. |
17 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
18 | hereby enacts as follows: |
19 | Section 1. Official State firearm. |
20 | The Pennsylvania Rifle is hereby designated as the official |
21 | firearm of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. |
22 | Section 2. Effective date. |
23 | This act shall take effect immediately. |
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