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SALT LAKE CITY -- An Apache helicopter and a firearms display greeted visitors and lawmakers at the state Capitol Monday to honor a renowned Utah gun maker.
Gov. Gary Herbert declared the day as John M. Browning Day in recognition of the Ogden native's contribution to the gun industry for both recreational and military uses.
"Having the headquarters in Utah is something we're proud of," Herbert said, adding Browning arms helped "protect our homeland and the Constitution of the United States."
Lawmakers Monday were to begin considering a bill to designate the Browning 1911 automatic pistol as the state gun.
"This pistol is Utah," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-West Jordan, show is sponsoring the legislation. "It's history is emblazoned on our state."
Wimmer said some have criticized the proposal as "glorifying an implement of death."
"No, we're not. We're glorifying an implement of freedom that has defended us for 100 years," he said.
At a rally on the Capitol steps, lawmakers, gun enthusiasts and military leaders lauded Browning's contributions to the United States being able to conquer its enemies and save many American lives.
"It really makes you wonder where our military power would be without John Browning," said Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield. "I think it would be quite a ways back."
Browning, born Jan. 23, 1855, developed many varieties of firearms, cartridges and gun mechanisms, many of which are still in use around the world. He is one of the most important figures in the development of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms and is credited with 128 gun patents.
"The military weapons were his least favorite guns to work on, except for the big noise," said Browning's great-grandson Christopher Browning.
He described his great-grandfather as a hard worker who didn't have more than an eighth-grade education. John Browning, he said, always maintained he invented the .50-caliber machine gun on "one drop of genius and a barrel of sweat."
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