US midterm elections: Why Idaho votes for an official state gun today

As Americans prepare to vote in the November midterm elections, one state has an unusual addition to its ballot. Idaho is asking residents to choose their favourite gun.

Yes, you read that right. Idaho, which has some of the weakest gun-control laws in the country, is considering having an official state firearm.

At a time when the US continues to grapple with shootings at schools, places of worship, and other public spaces, the state wants to give a firearm an official place among its symbols. Voters will choose from six historic weapons, from a frontier-era revolver to the rifle American soldiers carried during World War II.

The proposal is part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. It is also an unusual attempt by Republican lawmakers to encourage people to turn out for the midterm elections, when voter participation is often lower than in presidential election years.

According to a report by The New York Times, Idaho already has several official state symbols, including the mountain bluebird as its state bird, the Idaho giant salamander as its state amphibian, square dancing as its state dance, and the potato as its official state vegetable. It also has an official state dinosaur, Oryctodromeus cubicularis.

Now, lawmakers want to add a gun to that list.

The proposal has attracted attention because the six firearms on the ballot do not have particularly strong connections to Idaho itself. Nevertheless, the state's Republican-led Legislature believes the exercise reflects its history and gun culture.

Why is Idaho asking voters to choose an official gun?

The proposal was introduced by Republican state Representative Jason Monks, who wanted Idaho to have an official firearm as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.

The idea is also tied to the midterm elections. Monks believes an additional question on the ballot could encourage more people to vote.

Speaking to the Idaho Statesman in an article published on October 11, Monks said he preferred the term 'iconic' while selecting the weapons, explaining that he was looking for firearms with historical significance rather than simply those that are popular today.

Monks said voter participation was important, particularly when there was apathy among the electorate.

The proposal is not binding. This means the results will give lawmakers an indication of which firearm residents prefer, but will not automatically make the winning weapon Idaho's official state gun.

The Legislature is expected to consider the matter during its 2027 session.

Monks has also indicated that lawmakers could choose an entirely different firearm instead of the six options presented to voters.

The idea has found support among some gun-rights advocates. Greg Pruett, president of the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, told The New York Times that he would have preferred a modern weapon manufactured in Idaho to feature on the ballot. However, he believes the exercise is a way of reaffirming the state's commitment to gun ownership rights.

"In Idaho, this question doesn't feel off at all," he said. "The Second Amendment culture here is enormous."

What are the six guns Idaho voters can choose from?

The ballot features six firearms selected for their historical and cultural significance. They include weapons associated with the American frontier, military history and hunting.

Here is a look at the options:

1. Winchester Model 1894

A lever-action repeating rifle introduced in the late 19th century. It became popular among hunters, ranchers, law enforcement officers and Western settlers.

2. Winchester Model 1873

Nicknamed the 'Gun that Won the West', this rifle became a symbol of American westward expansion. More than 700,000 were manufactured before production ended in 1916, according to the National Park Service.

3. 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Also known as the 'Peacemaker', this revolver was issued to members of the US Army between 1873 and 1892. It was subsequently used by civilians, law enforcement officers and ranchers.

4. Colt M1911 .45 Automatic Colt Pistol

Adopted by the US military in the early 20th century, it served as a sidearm for American service personnel until 1985. It is also used in shooting competitions.

5. M1 Garand Rifle

The standard US infantry rifle during World War II and the Korean War. More than five million were manufactured during World War II. General George Patton once described it as "the greatest battle implement ever devised".

6. Remington Model 700

Introduced in 1962, this bolt-action rifle became popular among hunters and target shooters. It has also been used by the US military, including by snipers.

However, not everyone is convinced that the options represent Idaho's history.

Neill Goodfellow, a board member of the Idaho State Rifle & Pistol Association, told the Associated Press that none of the six firearms had a particularly significant connection to the state.

"My suspicion is a lot of folks are not going to have a clue" which one to choose, he said.

Why does Idaho's gun culture matter?

Idaho is among the most gun-friendly states in America. According to the New York Times, around three in five adults in the state live in households with firearms.

The state also has relatively few restrictions on gun ownership. Most adults can carry concealed firearms without a permit. Private gun sales do not require background checks, and there is no requirement for owners to secure their weapons when children are present.

Everytown for Gun Safety, a national gun-safety research and advocacy organisation, ranks Idaho 50th in the country for the strength of its firearm laws.

The proposal has also drawn criticism from those who believe it reinforces the association between patriotism and gun ownership.

Joan Burbick, a professor emeritus at Washington State University who has studied American gun culture, saud that the initiative was part of an effort to romanticise the American West. "To own a gun is to be a patriot, is the mind-set," she said.

Idaho is not the first American state to designate an official firearm. Utah and Arizona were the first to do so in 2011. Utah chose the Browning M1911 pistol, designed by a Utah native, while Arizona selected the Colt Single Action Army revolver.

Around a dozen states have since adopted official state firearms, including Texas, Kentucky, West Virginia and Alaska.

Is the gun vote also about increasing Republican turnout?

The timing of the proposal has attracted attention because it coincides with the November midterm elections.

Republicans have an additional reason to encourage their supporters to vote, as the party faces political challenges ahead of the elections. The Independent reported that the measure could motivate voters amid concerns over Republican enthusiasm, the cost of living and the war in Iran.

Monks has openly acknowledged that increasing participation was one of the reasons behind the proposal.

The Idaho Statesman reported that he said the question was intended, in part, to encourage people to participate in a midterm election, when turnout is generally lower.

He has also defended the proposal against criticism that it is a waste of lawmakers' time.

For Monks, the country's history and gun ownership are closely connected.

"Obviously, without guns, there would be no America," he said. "We'd still be a British colony.

With inputs from agencies

First Published:Nov 03, 2026, 16:09:55 IST