BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Democratic candidate Walt Minnick leads Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Sali by a 7 to 5 margin in 1 of the most-telling polls of Idaho's 1st Congressional District race: A tally of the two rivals' personal firearms.

Out on the Idaho frontier, gun ownership - especially in tight elections - stands in as a surrogate for candidates to communicate shared values with residents, many of whom are passionate hunters.

Minnick owns seven guns - three pistols from .22 caliber to .48 caliber, a .22-caliber rifle, two Remington shotguns and a pellet gun. Sali owns two shotguns and three rifles.

Despite packing enough heat to arm a small militia, Minnick and Sali are dueling over who would best stick up for 2nd Amendment rights.

Earlier this year, Sali secured the National Rifle Association's seal of approval, while Minnick won the endorsement of a rival gun group, Maryland-based American Hunters and Shooters Association.

Sali got an A+ rating from the NRA, while Minnick got a D+ rating - and maintains the rank was politically motivated.

Article can be found at: Local News 8