Staff Reports
Idaho voters will get to weigh in on a very Idaho question this November: pick the official state gun. What started as House Bill 932 and sailed through the Legislature with unanimous votes is now an advisory ballot question on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. This is a symbolic step, but symbols matter — and so does who gets to choose them.
What the Idaho state gun ballot asks
The ballot asks simply: “Which of the following guns should be designated as the state gun of Idaho? Please choose only one answer.” Voters will pick from six historic firearms — Winchester Model 1894, Winchester Model 1873, 1873 Colt Single Action Army “Peacemaker,” M1 Garand, Colt M1911, and Remington Model 700. The vote is advisory, so the tally will guide lawmakers but will not automatically make any firearm the official state gun.
How HB 932 put a state firearm ballot question before voters
The idea came in House Bill 932, carried by House Majority Leader Jason Monks and approved unanimously by both chambers before Governor Brad Little signed it into law. The bill even included an emergency clause to get the question on the ballot this year, and lawmakers allowed the Legislative Council to add options — though none were added. In short: this was a tidy, bipartisan move by Idaho legislators to hand the decision to the people.
Why an official state gun matters — and why critics grumble
For many Idahoans this is about history, hunting, and the Second Amendment. The six options were chosen for their place in American and Western lore, not for what’s trending at the gun counter. Opponents call it a frivolous use of ballot space and money — a fair jab if you like to count ballot positions like car parts. Supporters reply that other states already have official firearms and that Idaho should have the same right to pick a symbol that reflects its heritage and love of the outdoors.
What to watch after the advisory vote
The immediate result will be a ranked preference for lawmakers to consider. Watch whether the Idaho Legislature follows the voters’ lead and files a bill to make the winning firearm official, or whether the idea quietly fades back into committee room lore. Also watch for any last-minute campaigning from local groups or hunters’ associations if the race tightens. Either way, this advisory vote is a small but clear example of letting Idahoans, not the political class, have the final say on a bit of state pride.
