W.Va. Senate votes to designate official state firearm
Amid all the talk of guns at the Legislature this session, West Virginia may end up with an official state firearm.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Amid all the talk of guns at the Legislature this session, West Virginia may end up with an official state firearm.
The state Senate endorsed a measure Friday giving that designation to the Hall Model 1819 flintlock rifle.
John Hall developed the rifle and had it manufactured at Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County. The early-1800s weapon was one of the first breach-loading military rifles.
Senate Majority Leader John Unger, the Berkeley County Democrat who sponsored the measure, said it was the first such rifle adopted by the U.S. Army.
The Senate had a model of the rifle from the Harper's Ferry National Historical Park on display in its chamber for Friday's vote.
The measure advances to the House.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Amid all the talk of guns at the Legislature this session, West Virginia may end up with an official state firearm.
The state Senate endorsed a measure Friday giving that designation to the Hall Model 1819 flintlock rifle.
John Hall developed the rifle and had it manufactured at Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County. The early-1800s weapon was one of the first breach-loading military rifles.
Senate Majority Leader John Unger, the Berkeley County Democrat who sponsored the measure, said it was the first such rifle adopted by the U.S. Army.
The Senate had a model of the rifle from the Harper's Ferry National Historical Park on display in its chamber for Friday's vote.
The measure advances to the House.
Get Connected