Idaho voters pick Winchester 1873 as official state gun in midterm ballot
Alongside voting in the United States midterm elections, voters in the western state of Idaho have chosen an official state firearm. From six firearms listed on the ballot, they selected the Winchester Model 1873 as the state's official gun.
Six different firearms appeared on Idaho's ballot in Tuesday's midterm vote. The options included well-known firearms such as the Colt .45 and the M1 Garand.
The winning Winchester Model 1873 is known in American history as 'The Gun that Won the West'. That reputation carried the rifle to the top of Idaho voters' preferences.
The Colt .45 is also known as the 'Peacemaker', and many had expected it to pull ahead in the vote. In the end, the Winchester 1873 prevailed.
With the decision, Idaho joins a list of 11 U.S. states that have an official firearm designation. The list also includes states such as Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Drawing a comparison with other state symbols, the report noted that while some states have an official marine mammal or an official dessert, Idaho now has an official gun.
In the same elections, Republican candidates won every race in Idaho, completing a clean sweep for the state's incumbent Republicans.
Nationally, the picture was different. Democrats made major gains in the midterms and the Republican Party suffered losses, according to the report, although states such as Tennessee and Florida remained Republican strongholds.
