(GunReports.com) — Utah celebrated January 24, 2011 as John M. Browning Day at the Utah State Capitol. A native of Ogden, Utah, Browning is widely considered the world’s greatest firearms designer, and many of his gun designs remain popular around the globe to this day.
Hundreds of firearms enthusiasts and history buffs turned out to view the scores of rare, historic and unique Browning firearms displayed in the State Capitol rotunda. Groups participating in the firearm exhibit included the John. M. Browning Firearms Museum, Fort Douglas Military Museum and the Utah Gun Collectors Association. The Utah National Guard even brought in an AH-64 Apache Longbow helicopter for a landing on the south lawn of the State Capitol.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert made a formal presentation of the official state resolution to Christopher Browning, the great grandson of John M. Browning, at a noon ceremony on the capitol steps. In turn, Christopher Browning presented the Governor with a new Browning 1911-22 rimfire pistol as a gift from the Browning Arms Company to the people of Utah.
Also speaking at the noon ceremony were Rep. Curt Oda (R-Clearfield), Sen. Mark Madsen (R-Lehi), MG Brian Tarbet of the Utah National Guard and Col. Scott Zobrist of the USAF’s 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB in Ogden.
A bill by Rep. Carl Wimmer (R-Herriman) designating the John M. Browning-designed 1911 pistol as the Official Utah State Firearm has passed the full House and now goes to the Senate.
