Idaho voters to decide official state gun among six historic choices: A breakdown

IDAHO, USA — You may be thinking: That is so Idaho.

Whether that’s good or bad is up to voters.

The Gem State will become the 11th state to designate an official state gun. Utah was the first, choosing the M1911 in 2011.

In Idaho, House Bill 932 is the reason voters will get to make their pick on the ballot. The bill passed unanimously in both the Idaho House and Senate during the 2026 legislative session.

The official ballot question asks voters: “Which of the following guns should be designated as the state gun of Idaho?” Voters are instructed to choose only one.

The six choices are the Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30); Winchester Model 1873 “Gun that Won the West” (.44-40); 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver “Peacemaker” (.45 Colt); M1 Garand rifle (.30-06); Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP); and Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06).

The firearms span different eras and uses, from weapons associated with the American West to military firearms and a modern hunting rifle.

Some of those firearms can be seen at the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit inside the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise.

The collection was built by Jay Curtis Earle, who spent his life collecting and dealing in weapons and military memorabilia. The collection spans from the Bronze Age through World War II.

Anthony Parry, who works with the collection, said firearms have long been connected to Idaho’s identity.

Among the exhibits is an M1911A1, one of the firearms appearing on the Idaho ballot. The collection also includes weapons from the 1920s, 1930s, and World War II.

To better understand the six choices, Boise State University professor David Walker, who teaches a firearms history class, examined the weapons through their roles in military and civilian history.

Walker said the six choices represent a mixture of firearms that were used by the military and civilians.

The Winchester Model 1894 and Model 1873 are long associated with the American West. Walker said the familiar lever-action rifles became closely connected with the image of the Wild West.

The Winchester rifles also had a broader history. Walker said Winchester sold the firearms to civilians and foreign militaries, even though the U.S. Army did not adopt them.

The 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver, commonly known as the Peacemaker, and the Colt M1911 also have civilian and military histories.

Walker described the M1911 as a reliable firearm that became popular with both civilians and the military.

The M1 Garand represents another era. The rifle became a defining American military firearm during World War II and is known for its distinctive sound.

The Remington Model 700 represents a different use, as a bolt-action rifle commonly associated with hunting.

But the question for Idaho voters is not simply which firearm is the most recognizable.

The state’s frontier history also plays a role.

Idaho experienced settlement, mining, and violent conflict involving settlers and Native nations. Walker said firearms were part of that history, including skirmishes throughout the Treasure Valley.

“These weapons, those are the weapons that would have been seen around,” Walker said.

The proposed designation also comes as the country marks its 250th anniversary, allowing voters to consider how the firearms on the ballot fit into American and Idaho history.

Whether one of the six becomes Idaho’s official state gun will ultimately be decided by voters.