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National Firearms Act of 1934
This is the first federal gun control law put into place, and was signed as part of FDR's "New Deal for Crime." The NFA put a $200 tax on machine guns and sawed-off shotguns, which were popular during the "Tommy gun" era, and required all gun purchases to put into a national registry. -
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History of Gun Control Legislation
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Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act
After the assasinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., this act passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson prohibits convicted felons, drug users, and mentally ill from buying guns; raises the age to purchase guns from a federally licensed dealer to 21; and expanded licensing requirements to gun dealers and requires more detailed record keeping. -
Firearm Owners Protection Act
Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan after many complained the federal government was abusing its power with previous gun control legislation, FOPA limits the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms from inspecting gun dealers more than once a year, with follow-up inspections allowed only if multiple violations are found. A ban on civilian machine gun ownership was also enacted, but guns bought before this were not included. Furthermore, this law banned a national gun registry. -
Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988
Signed into law by President Reagan, the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 makes it illegal to posess, deliver, receive, or import any firearm that is undetectable when going through a metal detector. -
Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990
The Gun Free School Zones Act was introduced by then-Senator Joe Biden and then signed into law by President George H.W Bush. This law prevents unauthorized individuals from posessing a gun in any area defined as a school zone. -
Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act is named after President Reagan's press secretary, James Brady, who was shot in the head and paralyzed during an assasination attempt on Ronald Reagan. This act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton, and requires background checks on gun purchases from federally licensed dealers, manufacturers, or importers. -
Federal Assault Weapons Ban Begins
After many efforts to ban assault weapons due to a few mass shootings in the lae 1980's, President Clinton signed this act into law with the support of former presidents like Carter and Reagan, along with the support of the majority of the public. This law banned the production of assault weapons and certain ammunition magazines. -
Ten-year ban on assault weapons ends
This assault weapon ban arose from the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which was an act signed into law by Bill Clinton that expanded funding to the police force. -
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
This act, signed into law by President George W. Bush, prevents gun manufacturers from being sued when crimes are committed with their guns.
