Idaho Voters Select Winchester Model 1873 in Advisory Vote

Idaho Voters Select Winchester Model 1873 in Advisory Vote

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“The Gun That Won the West” has captured the preference of Idaho voters.

On Tuesday, residents cast ballots in a nonbinding advisory question, selecting the Winchester Model 1873 as the firearm they believe should serve as the official state gun, The Hill reported.

While the vote provides a clear signal of public sentiment, the designation is not yet law. The Idaho Legislature must still pass a separate bill to make the selection official, a process that could take place during the 2027 legislative session.

If the legislature acts on the results, Idaho will join a growing list of states with official firearms. It would become the 12th state to adopt such a designation, following a trend that began in 2011 when Utah and Arizona became the first to name their official guns.

Idaho voters chose Winchester Model 1873 as top choice for state gun

Wyoming faces a difficult choice

The news has sparked immediate conversation in Wyoming, a state known for its deep ties to firearm culture. While Idaho moves toward formalizing its choice, Wyoming lawmakers are weighing whether to start a similar process.

Rep. Andrew Byron, a Republican from Jackson, suggested that finding a single consensus firearm in Wyoming might prove difficult due to the sheer number of enthusiasts in the state. He noted that a debate over which gun best represents the Cowboy State would likely be one of the most intense legislative discussions he has ever witnessed.

Rep. Jeremey Haroldson, a Republican from Wheatland, expressed interest in introducing a bill during the 2027 session to reflect Wyoming’s support for the Second Amendment. He suggested that a firearm associated with family traditions and the outdoors would be the most appropriate fit for the state.

The debate in Wyoming is already surfacing through different historical and personal lenses:

  • The Hunting Heritage: Bob Budd, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, expressed disappointment that the Winchester 1873 was chosen by Idaho, noting that lever-action rifles are the quintessential cowboy guns. He highlighted the Winchester Model 1894, which has been in his family for five generations, as a symbol of Wyoming life.
  • The Historical Accuracy: Evan Green, a volunteer firearms historian for the Wyoming State Museum, pointed out that many early Wyomingites likely used much simpler tools. He noted that while movies favor flashy revolvers, the average person often used single-shot muzzle-loading frontier trade muskets or inexpensive shotguns.
  • The Industry Connection: Rep. Byron noted a personal preference for Weatherby bolt-action rifles, a company headquartered within Wyoming.

Comparing state firearm laws

The movement to name state firearms has spread across the American West and beyond, often linking specific tools to the history of the region. As reported by Cowboy State Daily, several states have already solidified their choices.

The following table lists states with designated official firearms:

Idaho Voters Select Winchester Model 1873 in Advisory Vote
Photo: thehill.com
State Official Firearm
Alaska Pre-1964 Winchester Model 70
Arizona Colt Single-action Army revolver
Arkansas Shotgun
Indiana Grouseland Rifle
Kentucky Kentucky long rifle
Missouri Hawken rifle
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania long rifle
Tennessee Barrett M82 rifle
Texas Cannon (and Colt Walker handgun)
Utah M1911 pistol
West Virginia Hall Model 1819 flintlock rifle

In Idaho, the advisory vote was part of an effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. According to proposed legislation, the initiative aimed to recognize the role firearms played in the history of the territory, from the survival of explorers like Lewis and Clark to the arming of citizen militias.

The Winchester Model 1873’s popularity is backed by historical manufacturing data. The National Park Service notes that the rifle was popularized as an “everyman’s” firearm, with over 720,000 units produced between 1873 and 1916.

For Wyoming, the path forward remains uncertain. While some see the designation as a symbolic victory for gun rights, others worry about the difficulty of reaching a consensus in a state where almost every resident has a different favorite.

Mark Jones, a national director for Gun Owners of America based in Buffalo, suggested that the only way to ensure a fair outcome is to let the public decide through a ballot.

“I’d vote for the buffalo rifle. But I say, let the people decide. Put a bunch of choices on the ballot and let them choose. It would be a fun thing to do,” Jones said.

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