A little over a month ago the mass shooting happened at Sandy Hook Elementary, President Obama unveiled his plan to address gun violence in the United States. Obama encouraged congress to pass legislation, which among other things would increase background check protocols, ban assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition and armor-piercing bullets, provide more funding for additional police officers on the street, first responder training, mental health programs, and school emergency plans. The President called his proposal, “common sense measures.” In a statement released in response to Presidents Obama proposal, the National Rifle Association said, "Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation." The National Rifle Association suggested that it would oppose at least some of Obama's proposals.
This got our group thinking, when exactly did the American people experience gun control? How did they deal with it then as compared to today? So we did a little research to be able to show you earlier attempts at gun control in the United States.
In the spring of 1775, British General Thomas Gage decided to seize the Americans’ cache of rifles, artillery, and ammunition stored by the Massachusetts militia in Concord. The night of April 18, he ordered two companies of redcoats on the march. Before the sun came up, America and Great Britain were at war. Chased back to Boston, the British were surrounded at Bunker Hill. When General Gage tried to break the siege, the surrounding American militiamen broke his army. Of the 2,400 British troops originally stationed in the city, half would be killed or wounded by mid-June. Thomas Gage was the first person of authority on these shores to initiate some form of gun control. Thomas Gage was also the first person to find out just how much Americans are attached to their guns.
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-obamas-gun-control-proposals-be-enacted
So while this example was the first attempt at gun control it was not legal persay. So now lets take a look a timeline of legal gun control in the United States
1791
This got our group thinking, when exactly did the American people experience gun control? How did they deal with it then as compared to today? So we did a little research to be able to show you earlier attempts at gun control in the United States.
In the spring of 1775, British General Thomas Gage decided to seize the Americans’ cache of rifles, artillery, and ammunition stored by the Massachusetts militia in Concord. The night of April 18, he ordered two companies of redcoats on the march. Before the sun came up, America and Great Britain were at war. Chased back to Boston, the British were surrounded at Bunker Hill. When General Gage tried to break the siege, the surrounding American militiamen broke his army. Of the 2,400 British troops originally stationed in the city, half would be killed or wounded by mid-June. Thomas Gage was the first person of authority on these shores to initiate some form of gun control. Thomas Gage was also the first person to find out just how much Americans are attached to their guns.
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/should-obamas-gun-control-proposals-be-enacted
So while this example was the first attempt at gun control it was not legal persay. So now lets take a look a timeline of legal gun control in the United States
1791
Second Amendment Ratified
It states, "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." See U.S. Constitution.
National Firearms Act
Brought about by the lawlessness and rise of
gangster culture during prohibition, President Franklin D. Roosevelt hoped this
act would eliminate automatic-fire weapons like machine guns from America's
streets. Other firearms such as short-barreled shotguns and rifles, parts of
guns like silencers, as well as other "gadget-type" firearms hidden
in canes and such were also targeted. All gun sales and gun manufacturers were
slapped with a $200 tax (no small amount for Americans mired in the Great Depression;
that would be like a tax of $2,525 today) on each firearm, and all buyers were
required to fill out paperwork subject to Treasury Dept. approval.
1938
Federal Firearms Act
Congress aimed this law at those involved in
selling and shipping firearms through interstate or foreign commerce channels.
Anyone involved in the selling of firearms was required to obtain a Federal
Firearms License from the Secretary of Commerce ($1 annual fee). They were also
required to record the names and addresses of everyone they sold guns to and
were prohibited from selling to those people who were convicted of certain
crimes or lacked a permit.
1968
Gun Control Act
The assassination of John F. Kennedy, who was
killed by a mail-order gun that belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald, inspired this
major revision to federal gun laws. The subsequent assassinations of Martin
Luther King and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy fueled its quick passage.
License requirements were expanded to include more dealers, and more detailed
record keeping was expected of them; handgun sales over state lines were
restricted; the list of persons dealers could not sell to grew to include those
convicted of felonies (with some exceptions), those found mentally incompetent,
drug users and more. The act also defined persons who were banned from
possessing firearms.
The key element of this bill outlawed mail order
sales of rifles and shotguns; Up until this law, mail order consumers only had
to sign a statement that they were over 21 years of age for a handgun (18 for
rifle or shotgun); it also detailed more persons who were banned from
possessing certain guns, including drug users, and further restricted shotgun
and rifles sales.
1972
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms created
Enforcement of the Gun Control Act was given to
the Dept. of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division of the Internal
Revenue Service. The organization replaced "tax" with
"firearms," nearly doubled in size, and became the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
1986
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act
Made it illegal for anyone to manufacture or
import armor piercing ammunition, or "cop-killer bullets," which are
capable of penetrating bullet proof clothing.
Firearms Owners' Protection Act
Eased restrictions on gun sellers and the sale of
some guns. Imposed additional penalties for persons using a firearm during
certain crimes and persons with robbery or burglary convictions who are
illegally shipping guns.
1990
Crime Control Act
Directed the attorney general to develop a
strategy for establishing "drug-free school zones," including
criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone.
Outlawed the assembly of illegal semiautomatic rifles or shotguns from legally
imported parts.
1994
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Imposed, on an interim basis, a five-day waiting
period and background check before a licensed gun importer, manufacturer or
dealer can sell or deliver a handgun to an unlicensed individual.
Required a new National Instant Criminal
Background Check System, run by the FBI, be ready to replace the waiting period
by Nov. 30, 1998. The new background check system will apply to all firearms
and will allow checks to be done over the phone or electronically with results
returned immediately in most cases.
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
Commonly referred to as the "Assault Weapons
Ban," this bill banned the manufacture, possession, and importation of new
semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (or
magazines) for civilian use.
Criteria for semiautomatic assault weapons that
fall under the ban are provided as well as a list of 19 specific firearms.
Prohibits juveniles from possessing or selling
handguns and directs the attorney general to evaluate proposed and existing
state juvenile gun laws.
2013
President Obama Proposes Sweeping Changes to
Gun Control
In response to recent massacres, including the
killing of 20 first graders in Newtown, Conn., and 12 moviegoers in Aurora,
Colo., President Barack Obama introduces proposals to tighten gun-control laws.
His plan includes universal background checks for gun sales, the reinstatement
and strengthening of the assault weapons ban, limiting ammunition magazines to a
10-round capacity, and other measures.
PROHIBITED FIREARMS & AMMO
1. National Firearms Act – A person who intends to make, receive or possess any of the following NFA firearms must first pay a tax and have the firearm registered with the Federal government 10 years for each violation.
- Short Barrel Shotgun, barrel length less than 18 inches or overall length less than 26 inches,
- Short Barrel Rifle, barrel length less than 16 inches or overall length less than 26 inches
- Silenc
er, 18 U.S.C. - Machine Gun
- Destru
ctive device, (bomb, IED, Molotov cocktail) - “Any other Weapon”, weapon capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged via an explosive (e.g., ring gun, club gun, belt buckle gun, handlebar gun, pen gun) etc.
3. Stolen Firearms & Ammo- Illegal to steal, possess, or receive a stolen firearm or ammo
4. Hand Gun Armor Piercing Ammo
5. Body Armor – Illegal for person previously convicted of a felony crime of violence to purchase, own or possess body armor
6. Firearms with serial numbers removed/obliterated/altered
(COURTESY OF FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS)
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