Former Idaho State Museum director Ken Swanson explains some of the Thompson submachine guns, or “Tommy guns,” on display at the J. Curtis Earl Weapons Exhibit at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise.

Across American history, firearms have been used in multiple conflicts, evolving significantly since our earliest wars. They've been symbols of power, craftsmanship, and identity. The U.S. is home to ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Former Idaho State Museum director Ken Swanson explains some of the Thompson submachine guns, or “Tommy guns,” on display at the J ...

Tucked away in a 4,500-square-foot former warehouse in a far corner of the Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise sits an exhibit representing one of the nation’s largest collections of historic weapons and ...