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Gun Violence and Gun Control Major Events in US, 1770-2015
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Powder Alarm
On September 1, 1774, General Thomas Gage, the Royal Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, received orders to forcefully remove gunpowder from the Old Powder House in Sommerville (Pictured). This was a vital event in the early stages of the American Revolution, as many colonists who were previously neutral became scared of the increasing oppressive Great Britain. Could be considered first gun control measure in America. -
The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution is Ratified
The 2nd Amendment to the US constitution was added to allow individuals (as ruled by the Supreme Court in Columbia V. Heller, 2008) and militia to keep and bear arms, in order to allow them to prevent another oppressive government from forming, such as the British Monarchy the new United States had just defeated. -
Bliss v. Commonwealth
This was the first state court case that arose in regards to the second amendment. The case that originated from a Kentucky law prohibiting the concealed carry of a handgun, was resolved with the ruling that the right to bear arms is an individual right, necessary to preserve the well-being of individuals and the state. -
State v. Buzzard
In contrast to the ruling in the 1882 case Bliss V. Commonwealth, this state-court case was the first to interpret the 2nd amendment as a collective right. The court ruled that it is a political right, not individual, and therefore the state is constitutionally permitted to pass laws restricting gun ownership. -
First Documented School Shooting in the US
At the Rocky Hill Schoolhouse in Pennsylvania, a 19 year old student shoots his teacher before school, due to what was believed to be a failed relationship between the young teacher and her student. This was the first of many school shootings that took place in the 1850’s. -
School Shooting in Louisville, KT
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School Shooting in Maryland
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Saint Valentines Day Massacre
This famous gang-related shooting of the late 1920's marked the peak of Prohibition era gang violence, and once again sparked controversy over the 2nd amendment, and led to future debate and restriction of gun rights. -
National Firearms Act (NFA)
The National Firearms Act, enacted in response to multiple gang shootings during the 1920s, early 30's, and the assasination attempt on President Franklin in 1933, put a wide range of restrictions on shotguns, rifles, machine guns, explosive devices, and gun accesories. It was the first significant law regarding gun policy passed by the federal government. -
President Kennedy is Assasinated
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Martin Luther King Jr. is Assasinated
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Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA68)
This law was enactected in response to multiple assasinations of prominent figures and mass shootings in the early 1960's, and the increasing availability of guns through unregulated sources such as mail order. -
Gun Owners of America is Founded
This gun rights organization was founded after lots of gun restricting policies had been enacted at both state and federal levels, in order to politically advocate gun rights. -
Federal Assault Weapons Ban
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Columbine School Shooting
The Columbine High School shooting is one of the most famous school shootings in history. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, seniors, killed one teacher and 12 students, after which they commited suicide. The students were known to have mental health issues and Harris even had created his own blog website that documented threats against other students and his desire to kill certain people, however the shooting lead to much debate and reconsideration of gun control policies. -
CDC Issues Report Regarding the Effectiveness of Gun Control
Near the expiration of the Federal Assault Weapons ban in 2004, the CDC issued a report analyzing the data on the effectiveness of gun control. They concluded there was not sufficient evidence to support gun control being effective in reducing gun-related crimes. -
Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting
Sandy Hook was one of the most recent, and possibly most tragic school shootings. It continues to be a major source of discussion over gun control and shows the issue is still very prominent today.
