Gun chokes have been around for centuries and are still used today in a variety of ways. They are often used as a form of protection, to subdue someone during a altercation or as part of hunting competition. In Rexburg, Idaho, gun chokes were first used in the 1920s on rural farms. The guns that were typically used to choke people were not powerful enough to kill someone outright but they could impede their breathing and prevent them from attacking. Today, gun chokes are still widely used in various ways throughout the United States and Canada.