Idaho Voters Weigh Six Firearms for State Gun Designation

Idaho voters were asked in the November 3 general election to choose one of six firearms for possible designation as the state gun, but the advisory vote does not make a selection official. Early returns reported at 12:07 a.m. Wednesday showed the Winchester Model 1873 leading with 31.4%, followed by the Winchester Model 1894 with 25.2%. No final tally was reported. The ballot question asked voters to select a single firearm. The choices were the Winchester Model 1894, Winchester Model 1873, Colt Single Action Army revolver, M1 Garand rifle, Colt M1911 pistol and Remington Model 700 rifle. The options include historic military firearms and rifles associated with hunting and the American West. The measure, House Bill 932, was introduced by Idaho House Majority Leader Jason Monks, a Republican from Meridian. It passed the House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Brad Little. The bill connects the proposal to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and cites the role of firearms in Idaho and U.S. history. The ballot result is nonbinding. It can guide lawmakers, but the Idaho Legislature would need to pass separate legislation to designate a state firearm. Monks...