State Firearms

Last reviewed November 6, 2026

See the State Guns map on 2A Maps, with a timeline of the order in which each state adopted its gun.

More maps than the glovebox of a lost elk hunter: Gun Law Maps by State

Official State Firearms: Where They Stand in 2026

Official state firearms honor the guns that built, defended and fed America. Since Utah named the John Browning-designed M1911 pistol its state firearm in March 2011, legislatures have used the designation to recognize local gunmaking heritage and to make a clear statement that firearms are part of each state’s identity, not something to hide.

As of November 2026, eleven states have an official firearm, and Texas has named two. Arkansas designated the shotgun in April 2019, and Missouri designated the Hawken Rifle in July 2023. The Hawken, made in St. Louis by brothers Jacob and Samuel Hawken, was the rifle of mountain men and westward pioneers.

Idaho may be next; voters picked the Winchester Model 1873 on November 3, 2026. House Bill 932, signed by Governor Brad Little on April 2, 2026, put an advisory question on the November 3, 2026 ballot asking voters to pick a state gun from six finalists: the Winchester Model 1894, Winchester Model 1873, Colt Single Action Army, M1 Garand, Colt M1911 and Remington Model 700. The vote is non-binding, so the legislature would still need to act. In Ohio, a bill to designate the Long Rifle of Early Ohio (HB 1025) was introduced in October 2026.

Key Facts

• March 2011: Utah designates the M1911 pistol, the first official state firearm.
• April 5, 2019: Arkansas designates the shotgun (Act 685, effective July 2019).
• July 2023: Missouri designates the Hawken Rifle.
• May 2025: Texas adds the cannon as a second state gun.
• Eleven states as of November 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
• April 2, 2026: Idaho HB 932 signed, creating an advisory ballot question on a state gun for the November 3, 2026 general election.
• October 2026: Ohio HB 1025 introduced to designate the Long Rifle of Early Ohio; no votes recorded as of late October 2026.

What Gun Owners Should Know

• A state firearm designation is symbolic. It does not change what can be bought, carried or owned in that state; check the State Firearm Laws page for the rules that apply.
• Designation bills are an easy, positive way to engage legislators. Contact sponsors and committee members to show support.
• Idaho residents can weigh in on the advisory question on November 3, 2026. Election and history dates are tracked on Gun Calendars.com.
• State constitutional protections for the right to arms are covered on the State 2nd Amendments page.

Sources

• NRA Family: 10 American States with Official Firearms
• Idaho Legislature: House Bill 932 (2026)
• Ballotpedia News: Idaho Voters to Decide Official State Gun Ballot Measure
• FastDemocracy: Ohio HB 1025 (136th General Assembly)

Background and Resources

• 1st = Utah – March 2011, M1911
• 2nd = Arizona – April 2011, Colt Single Action Army
• 3rd = Indiana – March 2012, Grouseland Rifle
• 4th = West Virginia – April 2013,  Hall Model 1819
• 5th = Kentucky – June 2013, Kentucky rifle
• 6th = Pennsylvania – June 2014, Pennsylvania rifle
• 7th = Alaska – July 2014, Winchester Model 70
• 8th = Tennessee – Feb 2016 – Barrett M82
• 9th = Arkansas – April 2019, Shotgun
• 10th = Texas – May 2021, Colt Walker (cannon added May 2025)
• 11th = Missouri – July 2023, Hawken Rifle
• Next = Idaho – advisory vote November 2026, Winchester Model 1873

Part III of a hand-made trilogy from 2022. The robots are working on the sequel.