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Ratification of the 2nd Amendment
The Bill of Rights, including the 2nd Amendment was passed: "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." -
Banning Handguns
Georgia passes a law banning handguns. The law is ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court and is thrown out. -
"Black Codes"
In a reaction to emancipation, several southern states adopt "black codes" which, among other things, forbid black persons from possessing firearms. -
The National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is organized around its primary goal of improving American civilians' marksmanship in preparation for war. -
National Firearms Act Passed
The National Firearms Act of 1934, regulating the manufacture, sale and possession of fully automatic firearms like sub-machine guns is approved by Congress. -
Federal Firearms Act
The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 places the first limitations on selling ordinary firearms. Persons selling guns are required to obtain a Federal Firearms License, at an annual cost of $1, and to maintain records of the name and address of persons to whom firearms are sold. Gun sales to persons convicted of violent felonies were prohibited. -
The Gun Control Act
The Gun Control Act 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.” The Act regulates imported guns, expands the gun-dealer licensing and record keeping requirements, and places specific limitations on the sale of handguns. -
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Act
The federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is created listing as part of its mission the control of illegal use and sale of firearms and the enforcement of Federal firearms laws. ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections. -
Firearms Owners Protection Act
The Firearms Owners Protection Act (Public Law 99-308) relaxes some restrictions on gun and ammunition sales and establishes mandatory penalties for use of firearms during the commission of a crime. -
CA bans semi-automatic assault weapons
California bans the possession of semiautomatic assault weapons following the massacre of five children on a Stockton, CA school playground. -
The Crime Control Act
The Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647) bans manufacturing and importing semiautomatic assault weapons in the U.S. "Gun-free school zones" are established carrying specific penalties for violations. -
The Brady Law and Assaults Weapon Ban
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act imposes a five-day waiting period on the purchase of a handgun and requires that local law enforcement agencies conduct background checks on purchasers of handguns -
Criminal Background Checks
Permanent provisions of the Brady Act go into effect. Gun dealers are now required to initiate a pre-sale criminal background check of all gun buyers through the newly created National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) computer system. -
NRA blocks background checks
The NRA files suit in federal court attempting to block the FBI's collection of information on firearm buyers. -
Shooting calls for more gun restrictions
At Columbine High School near Denver, students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold shoot and kill 12 other students and a teacher, and wounding 24 others before killing themselves. The attack renewed debate on the need for more restrictive gun control laws. -
Ending Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
After lengthy and heated debate, Congress allows the 10-year old Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 banning the sale of 19 types of military-style assault weapons to expire. -
Failed Gun Control Funding
Congress fails to continue funding for President George W. Bush’s 2001 gun control program, Project Safe Neighborhoods. -
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
President Bush signs the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act limiting the ability of victims of crimes in which guns were used to sue firearms manufacturers and dealers. The law included an amendment requiring all new guns to come with trigger locks. -
National Instant Criminal Background Check
In a move supported by both opponents and advocates of gun control laws, President Bush signed the National Instant Criminal Background Check Improvement Act requiring gun buyer background checks to screen for legally declared mentally ill individuals, who are ineligible to buy firearms. -
2nd Amendment Rights
In its landmark decision in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment affirmed the rights of individuals to own firearms. The ruling also overturned a 32-year old ban on the sale or possession of handguns in the District of Columbia. -
Obama loosens strict gun policies
A federal law signed by President Barak Obama takes effect allowing licensed gun owners to bring firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges as long as they are allowed by state law.
