On Tuesday, voters in Idaho will face an intriguing advisory question on their general election ballot, selecting from six iconic American firearms to designate an official state gun.
The ballot asks, “Which of the following guns should be designated as the state gun of Idaho? Please choose only one answer.” Voters can choose from the Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30), the Winchester Model 1873 “Gun that Won the West” (.44-40), the 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver “Peacemaker” (.45 Colt), the M1 Garand rifle (.30-06), the Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP), and the Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06).
This question originated from House Bill 932, introduced by House Majority Leader Jason Monks, a Republican from Meridian, on March 18, 2026. The measure saw bipartisan support, passing the House unanimously at 68-0 and the Senate at 32-0, before receiving Governor Brad Little’s signature.
Legislative findings connect this proposal to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and highlight the historical significance of firearms in both Idaho and the wider United States. The bill clearly states that the results “will guide the Legislature as to which gun shall be designated the state gun of Idaho.”
While the measure is advisory and non-binding, it serves as a guideline for lawmakers, who would need to enact new legislation to officially designate any firearm. The Legislative Council has the authority to expand the selection list in the future, but no new firearms were added before ballots were finalized.
Idaho joins ten other states that currently have designated official state firearms.
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Idaho voters go the polls to select their choice for the official state gun. pic.twitter.com/pCr3yv8jHG
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(@PollTracker2024) November 3, 2026
In essence, the voters’ preferences will create a ranked list for lawmakers to consider when drafting future legislation. This outcome does not directly change existing laws or symbols, though it provides lawmakers the freedom to pursue the most popular choice or select an alternative.
The six options were selected based on their historical significance rather than their current market status.
The Winchester Model 1894, crafted by John Browning and launched in 1894, was the first lever-action rifle made for smokeless-powder cartridges. Mainly chambered in .30-30, its popularity exceeds seven million units, making it famous for deer hunting.
The Winchester Model 1873, linked closely with the westward expansion of America, is famously known as “the gun that won the West.” Similarly, the Colt Single Action Army was widely used in both military and civilian contexts beginning in 1873 and earned the nickname Peacemaker.
Also noteworthy is the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle in .30-06 that served as the standard infantry rifle during World War II and the Korean War. The Colt M1911, a military sidearm for over seventy years, was introduced in 1911 as a semi-automatic .45 ACP pistol.
Completing the list is the Remington Model 700, a rifle known for military sniping and civilian hunting since its introduction in 1962. As of now, public polling has not identified a definitive favorite among the six candidates.
