Ohio Legislation Proposes Long Rifle as Official State Firearm
Legislation introduced by Rep. Jonathan Newman would designate the long rifle as Ohio's official state firearm.
On Oct. 13, state Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) introduced House Bill 1025 to designate the long rifle as Ohio's official state firearm. Newman stated in social media posts that he got the idea from his constituents. "This is the beauty of being available and listening; this idea came from grassroots constituents," Newman said.
A museum display showcases antique American flintlock long rifles, similar to those crafted and used on the early Ohio frontier.
Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons Image source https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
The legislation formally lists the "Long Rifle of Early Ohio," an unofficial term referencing the rifle's history in the state. Newman said the designation reflects firearms that were not officially named for Ohio, but were made in the state and contributed to its history. The proposal would add the firearm to Ohio's official emblems codified under Chapter 5 of Title 1 in the Ohio Revised Code.
Newman said a specific selection process determined the choice, with Ohio's leading firearm groups each nominating a judge to sit on a selection panel. The nominated judges deliberated for a month before choosing the long rifle, Newman said. "This legislation will help Ohioans remember and teach future generations the rich history and virtues that built Ohio into a great state and built America into the greatest nation on earth," Newman said.
Also known as the Kentucky rifle or Pennsylvania rifle, the long rifle was developed in colonial America, according to the National Rifle Association. The long rifle had a longer barrel than European muskets to get better accuracy and was lighter to carry, leading to wide use on the American frontier as European settlers arrived in Ohio, the association said.
A total of 10 states have official state firearms across the country. In 2011, Utah became the first U.S. state to designate an official firearm. Missouri was the 10th state to designate a state firearm, selecting the Hawken rifle in 2023. Four states bordering Ohio—Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia—have official firearms, while Michigan is the only state bordering Ohio that does not have an official state gun. Ohio already has a number of official state designations, including the state frog (bullfrog), state beverage (tomato juice) and state airplane (1905 Wright Flyer III). There is also an ongoing effort to make the buckeye the state candy, which passed the state Senate and awaits further action in the Ohio House.
The bill has gathered 18 co-sponsors, with 17 Republicans and one Democrat backing the measure. Lawmakers remain on recess through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The General Assembly will return from recess after Election Day, and it is unlikely H.B. 1025 will see action before then.
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/ohio-bill-designate-official-state-093000044.html
Supporting evidence (17)
On Oct. 13, state Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy) introduced House Bill 1025 to designate the long rifle as Ohio's official state firearm.
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Introduced on Oct. 13, House Bill 1025 would designate the long rifle as Ohio's official state firearm. The bill was penned by state Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy)
Newman stated in social media posts that he got the idea from his constituents.
Read supporting passage
The bill was penned by state Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy), who said on social media that he got the idea from his constituents.
"This is the beauty of being available and listening; this idea came from grassroots constituents," Newman said.
The legislation formally lists the "Long Rifle of Early Ohio," an unofficial term referencing the rifle's history in the state.
Read supporting passage
The bill officially lists the Long Rifle of Early Ohio, an unofficial term that references the rifle's history in the state.
Newman said the designation reflects firearms that were not officially named for Ohio, but were made in the state and contributed to its history.
Read supporting passage
Newman said the Long Rifle of Early Ohio reflects guns that were not officially named for Ohio, but were made in the state and contributed to Ohio's history.
Newman said a specific selection process determined the choice, with Ohio's leading firearm groups each nominating a judge to sit on a selection panel.
Read supporting passage
Newman said there was a specific selection process behind the bill. He said Ohio's leading firearm groups each nominated a judge to sit on a selection panel.
The nominated judges deliberated for a month before choosing the long rifle, Newman said.
Read supporting passage
Newman said the judges deliberated for a month before choosing the long rifle.
"This legislation will help Ohioans remember and teach future generations the rich history and virtues that built Ohio into a great state and built America into the greatest nation on earth," Newman said.
Also known as the Kentucky rifle or Pennsylvania rifle, the long rifle was developed in colonial America, according to the National Rifle Association.
Read supporting passage
Also known as the Kentucky rifle or Pennsylvania rifle, the long rifle was developed in colonial America, according to the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The long rifle had a longer barrel than European muskets to get better accuracy and was lighter to carry, leading to wide use on the American frontier as European settlers arrived in Ohio, the association said.
Read supporting passage
The long rifle had a longer barrel than European muskets to get better accuracy and was lighter to carry, the NRA said, so they were widely used on the American frontier, including when European settlers came to Ohio.
A total of 10 states have official state firearms across the country.
Read supporting passage
Of the 10 states with official state firearms, four border Ohio: Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Missouri was the 10th state to designate a state firearm, selecting the Hawken rifle in 2023.
Four states bordering Ohio—Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia—have official firearms, while Michigan is the only state bordering Ohio that does not have an official state gun.
Read supporting passage
Of the 10 states with official state firearms, four border Ohio: Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia. Michigan is the only state bordering Ohio that does not have an official state gun.
Ohio already has a number of official state designations, including the state frog (bullfrog), state beverage (tomato juice) and state airplane (1905 Wright Flyer III).
Read supporting passage
Ohio has a number of official state designations, including the state frog (bullfrog), state beverage (tomato juice) and state airplane (1905 Wright Flyer III).
There is also an ongoing effort to make the buckeye the state candy, which passed the state Senate and awaits further action in the Ohio House.
Read supporting passage
There is an ongoing effort to make the chocolate-and-peanut-butter buckeye the state candy, which passed the state Senate and awaits further action in the Ohio House.
The bill has gathered 18 co-sponsors, with 17 Republicans and one Democrat backing the measure.
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The bill has already gathered 18 co-sponsors -- 17 Republicans and one Democrat.
The General Assembly will return from recess after Election Day, and it is unlikely H.B. 1025 will see action before then.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-12792633
Supporting evidence (1)
In 2011, Utah became the first U.S. state to designate an official firearm.
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Published18 March 2011Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, The 1911 was one of the most widely-produced pistol designs of the 20th CenturyUtah has become the first US state to designate an official state firearm.