Gun Laws in US since 1877 to the Present
Debate on the right to own gun in US remains a controversial issue over the last two centuries. In the start of the year 1877, there were increased gun-related cases in United States. The increased cases of violent acts propagated by criminal gangs across US necessitated the government to implement policies on gun ownership. Five years after the formation of National Rifle Association in 1871, the majority of people advocated for gun ownership for personal security. However, the constitution, under the second amendment barred private ownership of guns for personal use. The papers provide the timeline of gun laws revolution and application in US since 1877.
The underlying factor to the second amendment in relation to gun laws was to promote the bill of right. What is more, the second amendments did not provide a holistic solution to the ownership of guns among the civilians. In the year 1877, the majority of states applied different laws on gun ownership. A good example is indicated by the state of Georgia, which amended its constitution to include a clause on gun ownership in 1877. This marked a revolutionary step towards gun ownership. In the wake of the twentieth century, the majority of states had adopted inclusive interpretation and application of gun policies. Contrastingly, New York City introduced the policy of gun ownership regulation through the licensing process in 1911. This marked the start of gun ownership restrictions in US. Increase in crime rates and gun shooting in 1934 forced the government to formulate the national firearms act. The act introduced federal government control on gun ownership. The act stated that the process of gun ownership should be conducted through vetting. What is more, ownership of hand guns was restricted by the act. In the year 1939, the federal government had powers to regulate gun ownership in US. This was dictated by the policy on gun sales, which was formulated in 1938. In the year, 1968, the congress passed the law on gun control. This law strengthened the existing gun ownership restriction sin US. The law was formulated on the wake of President John Kennedy assassination in 1963. In addition, the law covered the importation, licensing and monitoring of guns among the owners. It is the same law that barred gun ownership among criminals, underage and mentally ill individuals. The chief magistrate in the District of Columbia bars civilian from owning handguns in the year 1976.In 1986, the federal government formulate more restrictive gun laws, which vets civilians based on criminal record, family background and motive of owning the gun. It is such laws that provoked the gun owners across US. Similarly, the prohibition of handgun ownership increased massive public complaints, as a result of incurred insecurity. This necessitates the federal government to formulate firearm owner’s protection policy in the year 1987.
Major revolution in gun ownership occurs in the span of ten years from 1990. The national government enacts a gun-free policy on public places especially around the learning institutions. This stirs massive debate between the government and the justice system. The justice system argues that the government overstepped its constitutional mandate through interfering with human rights. Consequently, the congress passes the Brady law in 1994. The law requires firearms owners to report to the law enforcer before selling licensed guns. In the same year, the government introduces a policy which bans ownership of semiautomatic guns. What is more, the national government increased gun ownership restriction in relation to age. In 1996, the government further amends gun policy through introducing a law that states that criminal offenders should not own guns. In the wake of the twenty-first century, the court orders Smith and Wesson firearms manufacturing company to introduce safety measures in the use of guns. The court further orders the company to sell guns to the authorized people in the society. On the other side, the ban on semiautomatic weapon ownership expires in the year 2004. The revolution in the application of gun laws occurred in 2007; in a case of Dick Heller and the District of Columbia. The complainant sues the District of Columbia in relation to the law prohibiting ownership of handguns. In the mid-2008, the Supreme Court rules in favour of Dick Heller. As a result, the law that ban ownership of gun among the civilians is regarded unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Over the last two centuries, the National Rifle Association has fought for the ownership and distribution of guns in US. Contrastingly, the current increasing cases of gun-associated mass killing in social places call for amendment of the gun laws. In 2013, the issue on Sandy Hook school shooting necessitates President Obama to propose for a strict restriction and regulation of gun ownership in US. Statistics indicate that forty percent of Americans support Obama’s idea of implementing strict gun ownership laws. The proposal by President Obama aims at improving the security level and reducing irresponsible shootings across US.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Beck, Glenn. Control: Exposing the Truth About Guns. New York: (Simon and Schuster,
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Carter, Gregg Lee. Guns in American Society. New York: (ABC-CLIO, 2012), 738 and 963.
Gerber, Larry. The Second Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms. New York: (The Rosen
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