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Idaho voters focused on the real issues during midterms, like choosing the Winchester 1873 as their state gun
Idaho voters chose the Winchester Model 1873 as the state’s official firearm during the midterm elections. The article presents the decision as a light-hearted political bright spot amid Republican losses elsewhere, and notes that Idaho’s Republican incumbents also won a clean sweep.
Six firearms were on the ballot, including a Colt .45 and an M1 Garand; the Winchester 1873, nicknamed “The Gun that Won the West”, won. Idaho is among 11 US states with an official firearm, alongside states such as Texas and West Virginia.
In short
- Idaho named the Winchester Model 1873 its official state firearm.
- Voters picked from six firearms on the ballot.
- Eleven US states now have an official firearm.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Naming the Winchester 1873 as Idaho’s official firearm can be seen as a fitting tribute to the state’s history and a form of cultural recognition for residents who value firearms as part of their heritage. A public vote among six candidates gives the designation a democratic basis, and supporters may regard it as a light-hearted way to celebrate a tradition without changing firearm laws.
The case against
An official state symbol carries public meaning, so critics may question whether celebrating a firearm reflects Idaho’s identity broadly or gives too much prominence to a contested part of its history. They could also argue that, amid wider political concerns, elevating a gun risks trivialising serious debates about firearms and public safety.