Jessica Carlson
Shoot like a Girl
So, I've been hearing a lot from both sides of the fence. The most shocking of which include a coworker asking why citizen's "should be allowed to buy fully automatic weapons" and multiple gun enthusiast's stating "fork's made me fat" as their most catchy come-back phrase to those pointing fingers at them. So to help out both sides I'm posting a condensed version of the information as I know it. The gun-haters of this country are fueled by misinformation and it's time we take back our nation for what is was meant to be: free.
1791: Second Amendment Ratified to state: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." See U.S. Constitution.
1934 National firearms act: eliminated automatic-fire weapons, short-barreled shotguns and rifles, parts of guns like silencers, as well as other "gadget-type" firearms hidden in canes. All gun sales and gun manufacturers were slapped with a $200 tax ($2,525 today if not more) on each firearm, and all buyers were required to fill out paperwork subject to Treasury Dept. approval.
In 1938 the Federal Firearms Act required anyone involved in the selling of firearms was required to obtain a Federal Firearms License from the Secretary of Commerce and prohibited those same sellers from selling to those people who were convicted of certain crimes or lacked a permit.
The 1968 Gun Control Act restricted handgun sales over state lines; the list of persons dealers could not sell to grew to include those convicted of felonies (with some exceptions), those found mentally incompetent, drug users and more. The act also defined persons who were banned from possessing firearms and prevented the purchase of firearms via mail order.
In 1986 the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act made it illegal for anyone to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition, or "cop-killer bullets," which are capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing. While the Firearms Owners' Protection Act eased restrictions on gun sellers and the sale of some guns. Imposed additional penalties for persons using a firearm during certain crimes and persons with robbery or burglary convictions who are illegally shipping guns.
In 1990 the Crime Control Act aimed at enforcing a "drug-free school zones," included criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone and outlawed the assembly of illegal semiautomatic rifles or shotguns from legally imported parts.
1994 the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act aka "Assault weapons ban" banned the manufacture, possession, and importation of new semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (or magazines) for civilian use. In addition to prohibiting juveniles from possessing or selling handguns. It also directed the attorney general to evaluate proposed and existing state juvenile gun laws.
In 1994 to 1998 the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act imposed a five-day waiting period and background check before a licensed gun importer, manufacturer or dealer can sell or deliver a handgun to an unlicensed individual and requires all gun dealers to run background checks on all potential buyers using the National Instant Criminal Background Check system which is run by the FBI.
and in 1999 the Gun Bill Requires Trigger Locks A bill is passed which requires all newly made hand guns to have a trigger lock. The bill also extends the waiting period and background checks of firearms being sold at gun shows.
Long story short the last significant federal gun law was 1994' s Assault Weapons Ban, passed five years BEFORE Columbine and almost 9 years BEFORE this years shootings. As a country we need to educate ourselves on what is already out there and start holding each other accountable for the things each of us choose to do outside the law.
1791: Second Amendment Ratified to state: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." See U.S. Constitution.
1934 National firearms act: eliminated automatic-fire weapons, short-barreled shotguns and rifles, parts of guns like silencers, as well as other "gadget-type" firearms hidden in canes. All gun sales and gun manufacturers were slapped with a $200 tax ($2,525 today if not more) on each firearm, and all buyers were required to fill out paperwork subject to Treasury Dept. approval.
In 1938 the Federal Firearms Act required anyone involved in the selling of firearms was required to obtain a Federal Firearms License from the Secretary of Commerce and prohibited those same sellers from selling to those people who were convicted of certain crimes or lacked a permit.
The 1968 Gun Control Act restricted handgun sales over state lines; the list of persons dealers could not sell to grew to include those convicted of felonies (with some exceptions), those found mentally incompetent, drug users and more. The act also defined persons who were banned from possessing firearms and prevented the purchase of firearms via mail order.
In 1986 the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act made it illegal for anyone to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition, or "cop-killer bullets," which are capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing. While the Firearms Owners' Protection Act eased restrictions on gun sellers and the sale of some guns. Imposed additional penalties for persons using a firearm during certain crimes and persons with robbery or burglary convictions who are illegally shipping guns.
In 1990 the Crime Control Act aimed at enforcing a "drug-free school zones," included criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone and outlawed the assembly of illegal semiautomatic rifles or shotguns from legally imported parts.
1994 the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act aka "Assault weapons ban" banned the manufacture, possession, and importation of new semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (or magazines) for civilian use. In addition to prohibiting juveniles from possessing or selling handguns. It also directed the attorney general to evaluate proposed and existing state juvenile gun laws.
In 1994 to 1998 the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act imposed a five-day waiting period and background check before a licensed gun importer, manufacturer or dealer can sell or deliver a handgun to an unlicensed individual and requires all gun dealers to run background checks on all potential buyers using the National Instant Criminal Background Check system which is run by the FBI.
and in 1999 the Gun Bill Requires Trigger Locks A bill is passed which requires all newly made hand guns to have a trigger lock. The bill also extends the waiting period and background checks of firearms being sold at gun shows.
Long story short the last significant federal gun law was 1994' s Assault Weapons Ban, passed five years BEFORE Columbine and almost 9 years BEFORE this years shootings. As a country we need to educate ourselves on what is already out there and start holding each other accountable for the things each of us choose to do outside the law.
