--- title: "Idaho and Massachusetts Face Contrasting Ballot Questions on Firearms" url: https://newscentral.site/idaho-and-massachusetts-face-contrasting-ballot-questions-on-firearms/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Politics" published: 2026-10-25T12:34:32.000Z updated: 2026-10-26T04:48:38.837Z id: 5e81bab7-8a89-4d31-b786-fb0aad476a50 source: "ABC News Politics https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/massachusetts-idaho-put-guns-ballot-seeks-restrict-honor-137550090" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/idaho-and-massachusetts-face-contrasting-ballot-questions-on-firearms/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Idaho and Massachusetts Face Contrasting Ballot Questions on Firearms Voters in Idaho and Massachusetts will face contrasting ballot questions on firearms in November, highlighting the ongoing debate over gun rights and restrictions. In rural Idaho, residents are being asked to choose one of six historic guns as the official state firearm, a question that has sparked discussion among hunters like Neill Goodfellow. Goodfellow plans to vote for the M1 Garand, a semiautomatic rifle widely used by US troops during World War II. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, voters will decide on a ballot question related to gun control laws passed last year. The law requires all firearms to be serialized and registered with the state and expands the ban on "assault-style guns. The contrasting ballot questions reflect the vastly different approaches taken by the two states in addressing gun rights. Idaho is taking a more celebratory approach, while Massachusetts is focused on tightening restrictions. Massachusetts Question 9 will only go to voters because opponents gathered enough petition signatures to force a referendum. Idaho's Republican-led Legislature has added a nonbinding question to the state's ballot, seeking voters' input on designating a state gun of Idaho. This move is seen as an attempt to boost voter turnout in the state, where about 3 in 5 adults live in households with guns. According to estimates from the RAND Gun Policy in America initiative, Idaho has one of the highest rates of gun ownership nationally. In contrast, Massachusetts residents are facing a deadline to register their firearms with the state, which will take effect immediately thanks to an emergency provision signed by Democratic Gov. Maura Healey. This decision has been met with frustration from some gun owners who argue that they should be allowed to vote on the matter before being required to comply. Toby Leary, chair of The Civil Rights Coalition, a group leading the effort to repeal the Massachusetts gun law, expressed his concerns about the timing of the deadline and the referendum. He stated that it is a total violation of people's rights to require registration before allowing voters to decide on the issue. The Massachusetts gun law in question has been touted as one of the most comprehensive updates to the state's firearms laws in a decade. In addition to establishing a state firearm registry, it prohibits the sale and possession of ghost guns" that lack serial numbers and devices that convert guns to fire rapidly. The law also expands a ban on assault-style weapons. A key aspect of the Massachusetts law is its expansion of a "red flag" law, which allows certain individuals such as healthcare providers and school administrators to request that courts temporarily remove guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others. This provision aims to prevent gun violence by allowing authorities to intervene early in situations where an individual may be at risk. The timing of the Massachusetts law's implementation has been criticized for potentially disenfranchising voters who may not have had time to comply with the registration requirement before casting their ballots on the referendum question. The outcome of this situation remains to be seen, as voters weigh in on the issue. Massachusetts' proposed gun law aims to strike a balance between preserving individuals' right to own guns and ensuring public safety by implementing safeguards against potential misuse. This approach is reflected in statements made by Ruth Zakarin, chair of the campaign committee backing the measure and CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Despite federal laws preventing the creation of a national registry of firearms or their owners, some states have chosen to establish their own registration requirements. Massachusetts was among the first jurisdictions to enact such legislation, following in the footsteps of Hawaii and Washington D.C., while six other states require registration for specific types of guns, including handguns and assault weapons. Supporters of these state-level regulations argue that they facilitate law enforcement efforts by providing valuable information about gun ownership and helping to track down stolen or trafficked firearms. According to Lindsay Nichols, policy director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, such laws also serve as a deterrent against illegal gun sales and offer protection for law enforcement personnel responding to incidents. However, critics warn that creating a government database of gun owners could have unintended consequences, including increased vulnerability to hacking and data breaches. If sensitive information falls into the wrong hands, it could be used by thieves to target gun owners' homes while they are away, Leary cautions. The introduction of official state firearms has sparked debate among voters in various states, including Utah and Arizona. These two states were the first to adopt this measure back in 2011, with Utah lawmakers choosing the Browning M1911 pistol designed by a native son, while Arizona opted for the Colt single-action Army revolver. In contrast, Idaho's options on the ballot have been met with skepticism by some enthusiasts. Goodfellow, a board member of the Idaho State Rifle & Pistol Association, expressed concerns that none of the six proposed firearms hold significant historical value in the state. This lack of connection may lead to voter confusion, he suggested. Despite the controversy surrounding the gun vote, some individuals view it as an opportunity for lively debate and discussion. According to Idaho House Majority Leader Jason Monks, a Republican who sponsored the measure, this is precisely the point, to engage voters and boost turnout during the midterm elections. Monks' decision to tie the initiative to a significant national milestone was deliberate. The gun vote coincides with the nation's 250th anniversary, an event that celebrates its founding principles and the role of firearms in shaping American history. If the election yields a clear winner in the gun referendum, Idaho lawmakers are likely to introduce legislation in 2027 to designate the preferred firearm as official. This move would formalize the state's stance on firearms. Idaho's outcome may be decisive, but if the vote is evenly split, it could prove too contentious for lawmakers to resolve. --- Source: [ABC News Politics](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/massachusetts-idaho-put-guns-ballot-seeks-restrict-honor-137550090) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/idaho-and-massachusetts-face-contrasting-ballot-questions-on-firearms/