A10 Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, February 16, 2022 SPORTS SHOOTING THE BREEZE 2൶FLDOVWDWHJXQV A few states in the tually caused a return to land of the free muzzleloading rifles. have adopted a Fifth and sixth are basi- state firearm. cally a tie since two states Some guns are so lay claim to being the state ubiquitous that they are of origin for the Flint- easily recog- lock long rifle. nized by even Whether you call the most igno- it a Kentucky or rant cheechako. Pennsylvania long But precious few rifle, it9s doubt- become such ful we would have legends whose our independence employ has fed today if not for its Dale Valade and protected creation. for so long with such Rifled barrels firing efficacy that they have patched round balls were been adopted in sym- devastating to British reg- bolic capacities. Did you ular forces in the War for know that nine U.S. states Independence. Since Ken- have officially adopted a tucky adopted the rifle a firearm? year and a day sooner than The first to do so was Pennsylvania, the Blue- Utah, home to arguably grass State wins the No. the single most prolific five spot while the Key- gun designer in Ameri- stone State is No. six. can history, John Moses Coming in seventh, Browning. The Beehive Alaska made its adop- State adopted one of his tion on July 30, 2014. The most famous designs, the Last Frontier State 4 real- Colt Model 1911 pistol, in izing the influence that March of 2011. the pre-1964 Winchester Officially adopted for Model 70 has had there for military use in 1911, it hunting and providing 4 and several of its variants chose not to adopt any sin- have been in service ever gle caliber but the Rifle- since. A favorite amongst man9s rifle as a whole. civilians, military and law The simple and rugged yet enforcement alike, it9s lit- superbly accurate Win- tle wonder that it made chester Model 70 rifle has this list. well earned its reputation Not to be outdone, among hunters and shoot- just 30 days later Arizona ers of all cloths. adopted another world-fa- Tennessee, the Volun- mous design for its offi- teers State, comes in at cial state firearm. The No. eight with its Feb. 24, Colt Single Action Army 2016, adoption. The Bar- revolver, also dubbed the rett Rifle Co. has been