Idaho Voters Choose Winchester 1873 as State Firearm
Idaho voters backed the Winchester Model 1873 for the state’s official firearm designation in a nonbinding referendum on November 3. The rifle, often called “the gun that won the West,” was one of six choices approved for the ballot by a law signed by Gov. Brad Little on April 2.
The Model 1873 won with 31.2% of the vote. The Winchester 1894 placed second with 25.4%, followed by the Peacemaker, the Colt Single Action Army revolver’s familiar name, at 15.1%. The other choices were the M1911 pistol, M1 Garand and Remington 700.
Some Idaho firearms experts had objected to the selection of options, saying the list did not reflect the state’s own firearms history. George Milton, owner of Gem State Firearms, questioned how lawmakers had chosen the specific guns and argued that they overlooked gun writer Elmer Keith’s role in developing Magnum cartridges.
The referendum took place alongside midterm elections in which Idaho Republicans retained the governorship, the state’s U.S. Senate seat, all statewide offices and both congressional seats. Republicans also kept substantial majorities in the state Legislature, even as Democrats won several high-profile races elsewhere.
Idaho’s State Gun Vote Highlights a Narrow Political Priority
As voters weighed the Winchester Model 1873 for Idaho’s official firearm, the state’s ballot offered six gun options—and drew criticism from experts who said the choices failed to reflect Idaho’s own history. The referendum was nonbinding, but lawmakers had made it possible through a bill signed by Gov. Brad Little on April 2.
The Model 1873 won with 31.2% of the vote. The Winchester 1894 came next at 25.4%, and the Colt Single Action Army revolver received 15.1%. The M1911, M1 Garand and Remington 700 were also on the ballot.
George Milton, owner of Gem State Firearms, questioned the choices and said the list overlooked gun writer Elmer Keith’s contribution to Magnum cartridge development. That criticism underscores how easily an official designation can become a political gesture rather than a serious account of local history.
The vote coincided with midterms in which Republicans held Idaho’s governorship, U.S. Senate seat, statewide offices, congressional seats and substantial legislative majorities. Those results stand in contrast to Democratic wins in several other states, while Idaho’s referendum gave voters a symbolic gun-related choice rather than a debate over the material concerns highlighted in the other races.
Idaho Gives Its Official State Gun to the Winchester 1873
Idaho voters made a choice that fits the state’s strong gun tradition: the Winchester Model 1873 will be its official firearm. The rifle won the nonbinding November 3 referendum with 31.2% of the vote, ahead of five other firearms.
The Winchester 1894 finished second with 25.4%, and the Colt Single Action Army revolver earned 15.1%. The ballot also included the M1911, M1 Garand and Remington 700. Gov. Brad Little signed the legislation creating the referendum on April 2.
Some firearms experts criticized the options, arguing they did not represent Idaho’s history. George Milton, owner of Gem State Firearms, pointed instead to gun writer Elmer Keith’s contribution to Magnum cartridge development. But Idaho voters have now made their preference clear: the Model 1873, known as “the gun that won the West,” is the state’s selection.
The vote came during midterms that brought Democratic gains in several states, while Idaho Republicans retained the governorship, U.S. Senate seat, statewide offices, congressional seats and sizable legislative majorities. Whatever the national political headlines, Idaho’s voters also affirmed a distinctly local gun tradition.
Reported by The Daily Caller, Fox News.
