One of the items appearing on the November Midterm Ballot is Advisory Question: House Bill 932. This item lets voters cast their opinions on what the Idaho State Gun should be. This is a non-binding measure, so the legislature would still have to vote on it for it to become official during the next legislative session.
The advisory question gives several options on what the state gun should be, from Vote Idaho: the Winchester Model 1894 (.30-30), the Winchester Model 1873 “Gun that Won the West” (.44-40), the 1873 Colt Single Action Army Revolver “Peacemaker” (.45 Colt), the M1 Garand rifle (.30-06), the Colt M1911 .45 automatic Colt pistol (.45 ACP) and the Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle (.30-06).
All-in-all this voting measure is not something that will impact the everyday voter. Most Idahoans already know and own their preferred gun(s), so this will just be voters voting for their favorite firearm, and which one they think best represents Idaho.
The “Idaho State Gun” will not change anything about the availability or price of the chosen firearm and will end up as just another “fun-fact” that elementary schoolers have to learn during their Idaho history year, and that pops up on internet lists of compiled facts about the states.
This will not lower the costs of gas or everyday items for the people of Idaho, nor will it improve Idaho healthcare, or schools or everyday quality-of-life. This advisory question will do nothing to make the lives of Idahoans cheaper or easier.
This voting measure is just political theatre appealing to the stereotype of “gun-toting Idahoans,” and costs the legislature nothing to look like they are doing something, on our dime during legislative session.
This is so your representatives can look you in the eye and tell you they are fighting for the “Idaho way of life” while simply passing a piece of legislation that just says: “Idaho likes guns.” Something that is well-known and part of the Idaho stereotype already.
Also, voters can only choose one option, forgoing to opportunity for voters to rank their choice from favorite to least, allowing the legislature to actually collect a more meaningful review of Idahoans opinions.
Because what if a voter is stuck between gun A and gun B, and likes both, then wouldn’t it make more sense for the voters to be able to rank the choices?
At the end of the day, this advisory question is a waste of the paper it will be printed on and adds nothing of value to the lives of everyday Idahoans; which is what the legislature should actually be focused on, not empty political points.
Christopher Sprague can be reached at [email protected]