Indiana Adopts Official State Gun: The 200-Year-Old Grouseland Rifle

A while back Phil Bourjaily asked readers for suggestions on official guns for each state you know, kind of like the state flower, state song, state bird, state gun. Brilliant idea. Now, it seems Indiana is jumping on the bandwagon.

From this story on sheboyganpress.com:

_Lawmakers backed a measure that would make Indiana the third state with an official gun: a 200-year-old rifle crafted by the man who also designed the state seal and served as Indiana’s first sheriff. The House voted 78-2 Tuesday in favor of the bill that includes the rifle provision and that already got the backing of the Senate, sending it to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration. If Daniels signs the bill, the rifle known as the Grouseland Rifle would join the list of official state emblems such as the state flower, tree, river and seal.

It’s named after Grouseland, which was the Vincennes home of President William Henry Harrison. The weapon, which has pierced silver and brass inlays, is on display at that historic southwestern Indiana residence. Sen. John Waterman, R-Shelburn, submitted the rifle amendment after visiting Grouseland and seeing the weapon. “This rifle and its maker are both integral parts of Indiana history, and as such, the rifle is worthy of its designation as the Indiana State Rifle,” Waterman told The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne. The Indianapolis Star reports that if Daniels signs the bill into law it would make Indiana only the third state with an official gun._

Thoughts? What do you think, Hoosier hunters?