Learning The History Of The Evolution Of Gun Control In The U.S.

Reports by the Small Arms Survey state that the U.S. civilians account for about 393 million civilian-held firearms. According to ProCon.org, men lead with thirty-five percent and women with about twelve percent.

The efforts to control guns stem from colonial history, frontier expansion, revolutionary roots, and the Second Amendment.

This amendment states that a regulated militia is necessary for the security of the free state, and the rights of the people to keep and bear weapons shall not be infringed.

Guns were controlled during colonial and revolutions

The evolution of gun control efforts is older than the ratification of the Second Amendment in the year 1971. Some of the efforts in the colonial period included criminalizing the transfer of guns to Catholics, indentured servants, enslaved people, and Native Americans. 

A door-to-door survey was conducted to determine the number of guns owned by American citizens. Some laws, including in Connecticut in 1643, required at least one adult man in every house to carry a gun to church or any other public meetings.

Learning the history of efforts helps students learn how various organizations have played a part in securing citizens from illegal shootings. There are different sources that you can use as a student to study gun control. Security agencies’ background reports are vital for teachers and students in a classroom environment. If you face a challenge with writing an essay about firearms control, you can find free essays for your studying. Still, you can find free gun control essays on Samplius for the college level. 

Slave codes and the “wild west”

Slave codes were the period from the 1700s through the 1800s when blacks were allowed to own guns to protect themselves from attacks by Native Americans. Black codes stem from 1865 after the abolishment of the slave trade. This followed the prohibition of black people from owning.

Despite the images in the “Wildest West” movies, most cities required visitors to check their guns with the specified sheriff before entering different towns. Then, in 1879, The Carrying of FireArms Strictly Prohibited law was passed in Dodge City. 

Federal laws in the 1900s

Various instances led to the enactment of the 1900s federal gun laws. One of the widespread massacres is the St. Valentine’s Day shooting in Chicago on February 14th, 1929, which led to the death of the seven members associated with “Bugs” Moran. This set lots of debates and laws to ban machine guns.

Enacted in 1934, the National Firearms Act imposed a tax of about $200 on registration and transfer of ownership. This law also stated that public members are to be issued with short guns with barrels less than eighteen inches. 

Federal and State Laws in the 2000s

In the 2000s, there were still high crimes of gunshots, and the laws had to be reviewed further. President George W. Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and Child Safety Lock Act on October 26th, 2005. The manufacturers now couldn’t be sued by the dead victim’s family.

The Child Safety Lock Act required that all guns be sold with a “secure gun storage of safety device.” In 2007, The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act was enacted. Before selling, the dealers had to provide information to the NICS.

Guns and the supreme court

This focuses on collective versus individual rights. Until 2008, the supreme court upheld a collective right view of the Second Amendment. This means that states may form militias and regulate guns. During the same year, on June 26th, the supreme court, for the first time, upheld an individual rights interpretation. 

In that case, the Second Amendment would then apply to both the federal government and the states. In 2016, the court ruled that anyone convicted of domestic violence assault would be disqualified from owning a gun under the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the 1968 Gun Control Act. 

The National Rifle Association

This is the strongest American and longest-standing civil rights organization chartered on November 17th, 1871, in New York. It was formed to promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis. Over the years, this organization has played a significant role in gun control. 

In 1993, NRA fought the Center for Disease Control for promoting politically-motivated studies. CDC had claimed that keeping guns at home increases the risk of homicide. By 2013, NRA had approximately three million members, and the spending budget was $290.6 million. 

The current debate 

Gun control in the U.S. has taken a lot of twists and turns. In most cases, the current debate usually happens after a major mass shooting. Proponent members in this debate want more laws to prevent mass shootings and constantly call for smart laws. 

Through the debate, proponents have outlined measures that the government should take to prevent mass shootings in different cities. During a poll conducted by the Quinnipiac, 61% of Americans voted in favor of stricter laws.

Conclusion The history of gun control stems from the colonial period to date. Laws have been enacted to control the sale and the use of weapons. Any misuse of a firearm is taken seriously. Manufacturers must submit reports to the government about sales and other activities. This is put in place to curb gun trafficking in different states. Government agencies often conduct background checks for any sale in the country.

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