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Bill of Rights is Ratified
The Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution is ratified. The SecondAmendment 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." -
NRA Founded
Union Army officers Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate found the National RifleAssociation (NRA) to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis." -
Shipment of Firearms In The Mail Is Banned
President Calvin Coolidge signs a bill that bans the shipment of firearms through the mail, unlessthe shipment is properly authorized. -
NRA: 11mill members
The NRA boasts more than 11 million members. -
IL bans possession and sale of handguns
Morton Grove, IL, becomes the first U.S. community to pass an ordinance banning both the possession and sale of handguns. -
Firearms Owners' Protection Act
The Firearms Owners' Protection Act eases some restrictions on gun and ammunition sales and allowspeople to buy rifles out of state. It also bans the manufacture, sale or ownership of machine guns. -
Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act
The Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act makes it illegal to possess "cop killer" bullets capable ofpenetrating bulletproof clothing. -
Semi-automatic assualt weapons are suspended
President George H. W. Bush suspends importation of semi-automatic assault weapons. -
California bans all assault weapons
Following a January shooting spree in which five children were killed in Stockton, California, bya man with an AK-47, California becomes the first state to ban all assault weapons. -
Concealed weapons are allowed in restaurants in Virginia
Virginia's General Assembly approves a bill to allow concealed weapons in bars and restaurants thatserve alcohol.
