AN ACT

 

1Designating the Piper J-3 Cub as the official State aircraft of
2the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania<-; and designating the 
3Pennsylvania Long Rifle as the official firearm of the 
4Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

5The General Assembly finds and declares that:

6(1) The Piper J-3 Cub is a small, simple, light
7aircraft, recognizable by its famous yellow fuselage and
8black trim, that was built in the city of Lock Haven, Clinton
9County, between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft.

10(2) During that time period, 19,076 Cubs were produced
11in Lock Haven.

12 (3) With tandem seating, the Cub was intended for
13flight training but became one of the most popular and best-
14known light aircraft of all time among the military and
15civilian population.

16 (4) The Cub's simplicity, affordability and popularity
17invoke comparisons to the Ford Model T automobile.

1 (5) The Cub was modified and used by the United States
2Armed Forces during World War II for reconnaissance and as a
3hedgehopper over all kinds of terrain to carry personnel,
4critical supplies and important messages for the artillery
5and tank corps, and cavalry and infantry.

<-6(6) Pennsylvania's gunmaking tradition has played an
7important role in the development of the United States of
8America.

9(7) During Pennsylvania's early history, settlers placed
10chief reliance on their rifles for sustenance, security and
11survival.

12(8) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle, a unique firearm that
13was different in principle and outline from any other weapon
14in the world, was developed by skilled gunsmiths in the
15Moravian communities of Christian's Spring, Northampton
16County, as well as by artistic riflemaker Martin Meylin, in
17Willow Street, Lancaster County.

18(9) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle was the first truly
19American firearm and, due to its exceptional accuracy and
20range, was considered the greatest achievement in the
21development of firearms during the 18th century.

22(10) Playing an important role in the early years of the
23Industrial Revolution in Pennsylvania and New England, the
24Pennsylvania Long Rifle was also instrumental in the American
25fur trade and was carried west and south by frontiersmen as
26they set out to expand the boundaries of the nation.

27(11) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle has been lauded for its
28beauty and craftsmanship, as well as the ingenuity of the
29skilled gunsmiths who crafted it.

30(12) The color combinations, carvings, engravings and

1graceful slenderness of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle cause it
2to stand alone and remain unchallenged as a primary example
3of early American art.

4(13) Future generations deserve the right to appreciate
5the heritage of this long-barreled rifle, born to artistic
6gunsmiths in the communities of the Commonwealth of
7Pennsylvania.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. Official State aircraft.

11The aircraft known as the Piper J-3 Cub is selected,
12designated and adopted as the official State aircraft of the
13Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

<-14Section 2. Official State firearm.

15The Pennsylvania Long Rifle is hereby designated as the
16official firearm of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

17Section <-2 3. Effective date.

18This act shall take effect immediately.