History of Gun Regulation in US

2nd Amendment

Dec 15, 1791

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution"The right to bear arms" is passed as the first real law acknowledging firearm use in the US

Georgia Passes Nations First Gun Ban

Jan 1, 1837

Georgia passes ban on sale and possession of pistols and knives. The law is later ruled unconstitutional and thrown out.

NRA is Founded

Nov 17, 1871

The NRA is founded to promote marksmanship and allow American gun owners to practice shooting.

Mailing of Firearms Act

May 1, 1927

Legislation that is still around today. Prohibits the mailing of any concealable weapons through the US Postal Service.

National Firearms Act of 1934

Jun 26, 1934

Law was put in place to regulate "gangster weapons" such as machine guns (the tommy gun) and short-barreled shotguns.

Federal Firearms Act of 1938

Jan 1, 1938

The first large regulations on selling everyday guns. Sellers were required to get a Federal Firearms License and maintain records of those they were selling to. Violent crime offenders were denied guns.

Gun Control Act of 1968

Oct 22, 1968

An expansion of the Federal Firearms Act of 1938. Signed by President Lyndon Johnson. Largely worked to regulate the interstate commerce of gun sales and made sure all dealers, sellers, and importers were licensed.

ATF Is Born

Jan 1, 1972

The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) becomes a federal law enforcement association. They work against the unlawful use, possession, and manufacturing of firearms.

Crime Control Act of 1990

Apr 12, 1990

Banned manufacturing and importanting semi-automatic assault weapons in the US. Also created "gun-free school zones".

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

Feb 28, 1994

Named after James Brady who was shot during an attempted assasination of Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1981. Instituted background checks among gun buyers before a purchase could be made. Is the basis for NICS checks today.

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

Sep 13, 1994

Followed the 101 California Street Shootings and Waco Siege. Was passed by Bill Clinton as the largest crime bill in the history of the US. Contained the controversial "Assault Weapons Ban" which Obama is trying to bring back today.

Assault Weapons Ban

Period: Sep 13, 1994 to Sep 13, 2004

Banned manufacturing of 19 specific semi-automatic firearms, or "assault weapons". Also banned things like weapons that carried more than 10 rounds.