Idaho Voters Choose the Gun That Won the West for Official State Honor
In the November 3, 2026 general election, Idaho voters selected the Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle, historically known as the Gun That Won the West, as their top choice for the official state firearm. According to unofficial results from the Idaho Secretary of State's Office, the historic rifle secured 31.1 percent of the total vote.
The advisory measure was placed on the ballot via House Bill 932 to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Because the ballot question was entirely non-binding, it serves as an official poll of public preference rather than a legal mandate.
The Idaho Legislature must still introduce and pass separate legislation during a future legislative session, expected in 2027, to formally join 10 other U.S. states that have designated an official state gun.
How the Options Fared with Voters
Voters were asked to choose one option from a pre-selected list of six historically significant American firearms. According to the final unofficial tallies, none of the options secured an outright majority:
Winchester Model 1873 (.44-40 rifle): 31.1% (164,394 votes)
Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30 rifle): 25.32% (133,859 votes)
1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver ("Peacemaker"): 15.26% (80,699 votes)
Remington Model 700 (bolt-action rifle): 12.45% (65,818 votes)
Colt M1911 (.45 automatic pistol): 8.78% (46,405 votes)
M1 Garand rifle (.30-06 rifle): 7.09% (37,500 votes)
Historical Significance to Idaho
The legislation proposing the ballot question highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between firearms and the settling of the Gem State.
Frontier Expansion: Early pioneers, miners, and stagecoach drivers heavily utilized repeating firearms like the Winchester Model 1873 during Idaho's gold and silver rushes in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Ammunition Synergy: The Model 1873 gained widespread popularity because it fired the same .44-40 caliber round as common sidearms of the era, allowing homesteaders to carry just one type of ammunition.
Sporting Heritage: Proponents of House Bill 932 noted that firearms continue to support Idaho’s modern outdoor and hunting cultures. A 2020 RAND Corporation study cited during the bill's advancement ranked Idaho fourth in the nation for household gun ownership, with roughly 58% to 60% of households owning a firearm.
