Points of Interest
Historic Figures Opinions
Bill of Rights
Federal Firearms Act
States Gun Laws
Dis-arming Slaves
Federal Firearms Act
D.C. Bans Guns
You Think the Answer is More Gun Laws?
Read below before you decide
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Plato's Republic
Plato, in his Republic, argues that ordinary citizens should not be armed and that the government should have a monopoly on arms.
Plato must have assumed that Kings, Queens, etc., public servants and leaders in general, would all be the salt of the earth, cream of the crop or just plain ole good guys! If that were true then maybe the public could rely on their leaders and not need to be armed.
Trusting in the people in charge would be nice. No greed, no corruption, and no need to argue over guns!
Aristotle's Politics
Aristotle, in his Politics, argues in favor of arming the majority of citizens.
The Laws of Alfred
In England, the Laws of Alfred recognize the right of every man to keep and bear arms.
Magna Carta
English barons force King John to sign the Magna Carta, which, among other things, restores the right to keep and bear arms. Previously, King John had disarmed noblemen and commoners.
Its obvious why King John dis-armed noblemen and commoners
(disarming potential rivals and/or the public is the first step in making sure you control your opposition)
But, why he restored their rights, is a good subject for research.
Hobbes Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes argues, in his Leviathan, that individuals have the right to protect themselves when governments fail to protect them(
Check Here
). Hobbes' writing will influence the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
English Limits on Arms
A series of English laws passed during the reigns of Charles II and James II severely limit the right to keep and bear arms.
Locke's Two Treatises on Government
John Locke, in his Two Treatises on Government, argues that individuals should be allowed arms so that an armed elite cannot exert its will over an unarmed majority.
Locke's writing will influence the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
This guy hit the nail right on the head as far as I'm concerned!
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September 25, 1787
Bill of Rights
The U.S. Congress approves the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reads, "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."
From plato to this point in the list, the idea of the public (the PEOPLE) needing to be armed, not only to protect themselves but also to protect their chosen form of government, was pretty much agreed on.
1837
Georgia Handgun Ban
A ban on handguns becomes law in Georgia. In court (Nunn v. State), this law is determined to be a violation of the Second Amendment and is voided.
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1850's
Disarming Slaves
A number of states pass laws prohibiting slaves from bearing arms.
The perfect example of what to do to any group of people that you want to hold down, rule over or control.
Anytime, ANY group, political organization, government etc., decides or plans to force their will on any other group, government, etc., whats the first thing to do, if its possible!??
Make sure they cant fight back or rise up against you. Your first step would be to start collecting their weapons.
1865
Black Codes
In the wake of emancipation of slaves, southern states pass "Black Codes" that, among other things, prohibit blacks from bearing arms.
Same scenario as above! Get Them coming and going huh?
1871
National Rifle Association Founded
The National Rifle Association is founded. Its primary goal is to increase war preparedness by improving marksmanship among civilians.
1927
Concealable Weapons by Mail
Congress passes a law (still in effect) banning the mailing of concealable firearms.
Here's a good law to spend time -
Enforcing
-
1934
National Firearms Act of 1934
Congress passes the National Firearms Act of 1934. Its intent is to regulate "gangster" weapons such as sub-machineguns.
The only thing wrong with this (in my opinion) is, - - when you give an inch- - they try to get a mile!!
I dont personally disagree with banning
SOME
firearms.- - But is it possible to negotiate with Anti firearms fanatics?
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1938
Federal Firearms Act of 1938
Congress passes the Federal Firearms Act of 1938 to regulate commercial interstate weapons sales. The law requires gun and ammunition makers, dealers, and importers to obtain licenses. The law also restricts the delivery of guns to those not eligible to possess them (e.g. felons, etc.).
1939
U.S. v. Miller
In U.S. v. Miller, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual the right to keep and bear arms independent of any service in the militia.
1968
Gun Control Act of 1968
Passed in the wake of the assassinations of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-618) increases restrictions on the sale and possession of firearms. Among other things, the law bans mail-order sales of firearms.
Seems to me a law similar to this one was passed in 1927 (look above) the wording is different but the theory seems the same- - Its NUTS to sell guns thru the mail!!
1972
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is created from what was a division within the Internal Revenue Service. Among its missions are the regulation of manufacturers of firearms and the curbing of the traffic in illegal firearms.
1977
Moore v. East Cleveland
In Moore v. East Cleveland, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the right to keep and bear arms is specifically guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.
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1977
District of Columbia Gun Ban
The District of Columbia passes a strict anti-handgun law. The law also requires that rifles and shotguns in the District be registered.
1980
Lewis v. U.S.
In Lewis v. U.S. , the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Federal Government has the right to prevent felons from possessing firearms.
1981
Morton Grove Gun Ban
The city of Morton Grove, Illinois, passes a strict gun-control ordinance, which is later overturned in court. Morton Grove is only one of a number of towns which attempt to pass local gun-control ordinances in the early 1980s.
1986
Armed Career Criminal Act
Congress passes the Armed Career Criminal Act (Public Law 99-570), which stiffens penalties for possession of firearms by those not eligible to have them (e.g. felons).
1986
Firearms Owners Protection Act
Congress passes the Firearms Owners Protection Act (Public Law 99-308), which eases some restrictions on the sale of guns and prescribes mandatory penalties for the use of a firearm in a crime.
1986
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1986
Congress passes the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-408). The intent of this law is to ban "cop-killer" bullets that can penetrate bulletproof vests.
1989
Roberti-Ross Assault Weapons Act
Following a massacre at a school playground in Stockton, California, the State of California bans semiautomatic firearms.
1990
Crime Control Act of 1990
Congress passes the Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647). Portions of this law prohibit the importation and manufacture of semiautomatic weapons designated as "assault weapons." Other portions of this law establish "gun-free school zones."
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1990
State Gun Laws
In 1990 and the years following, a number of states enact laws requiring background checks and/or waiting periods for the purchase of handguns.
1994
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Congress passes the so-called "Brady Bill" (Public Law 103-159).
The chief purpose of this bill is to "provide for a waiting period before the purchase of a handgun, and for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system to be contacted by firearms dealers before the transfer of any firearm."
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Congress passes the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322). Title XI of this bill, the "Assault Weapons Ban," prohibits the sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of a number of assault weapons.
April 26, 1995
U.S. v. Lopez (514 U.S. 549)
In a case involving eighteen-year-old San Antonio high-school student Antonio Lopez, the U.S. Supreme court rules that the federal law establishing gun-free school zones is unconstitutional.
March 13, 1996
Dunblane Shootings
Sixteen small children and their teacher are shot to death in Dunblane, Scotland. This leads to the passage of laws that virtually ban the private possession of handguns in the United Kingdom.
March 28, 1996
Tasmania Shootings
A gunman armed with an assault rifle kills 35 and wounds 19 in Tasmania, Australia. This leads to the passage of stricter gun-control laws in Australia.
June 1997
Printz v. United States
The United States Supreme Court rules that the mandatory background checks called for by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act violate the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
October 1997
Child-Safety Devices
Major U.S. gun manufacturers voluntarily agree to put child-safety devices on all new handguns. This move is predicted to affect 80% of the handguns sold in the U.S.
November 4, 1997
Washington State Initiative 676: Handgun Safety Initiative
Voters in Washington State soundly reject a ballot initiative that would have required all handguns sold, traded, or given away to have working trigger locks. The initiative also would have required all handgun owners to obtain handgun safety licenses. The National Rifle Association spent \\$3.4 to defeat this initiative.
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