U.S. History of Gun Control
In 1791, the Second Amendment in the Constitution states that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Its words have been argued time and time again, and organizations have been established, such as the NRA, to defend the Second amendment, to make sure the American people do not have their rights infringed on. When the United States Colonies were fighting their war of independence against the British, having a well regulated Militia was crucial, because there was not a federally funded national army.
In 1837, the state of Georgia passed a law banning handguns, but in 1846 it was taken off the books because it was found to be unconstitutional
1865 – Southern states adopted Black codes following emancipation, for example ‘No freedman, negro, or mulatto shall carry or keep firearms or ammunition’ – Mississippi Black Code 1865
1927 – Congress bans the mailing of concealable weapons – Mailing of Firearms Act, 18 U.S.C.A. § 1715
1934 – Congress regulates fully automatic firearms in the National Firearms Act of 1934, which makes it illegal for civilians to own a fully automatic firearm, without permission from the government, which comes as a class 3 license.
1938 – Federal Firearms of 1938 prohibited gun sales to persons convicted of violent felonies, and record keeping of firearm sales, including that sellers must get a Federal Firearms License.
1968 – The Gun Control Act of 1968 – “…was enacted for the purpose of keeping firearms out of the hands of those not legally entitled to possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetence.” — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
1972 – The ATF is Created, also known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. It is made to control the illegal use and sale of firearms, and also issue firearm licenses and qualifications
1977 – Washington D.C. bans handguns and requires the registration of any other firearms, such as shotguns and rifles.
1986 – The Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act, bans possession bullets capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing in order to further protect police officers and law enforcement.
1989 – California bans Semiautomatic Assault Weapons
1994 – a 5 day waiting period is required on handgun purchases and local agencies are required to do a background check according to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.
1994 – Certain Assault weapons are banned, including sale and manufacture. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
1997 – Supreme Court finds Background Check Unconstitutional, and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act is reversed.
1998 – Amendment requiring every handgun to have trigger locks included with the sale is defeated.
1998 – NICS is created and now a criminial background check is required with each gun purchase.