1791- Second Amendment Ratified
The second amendment was ratified in 1791 and states, "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."
1871- NRA Founded
Union soldiers Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate founded the NRA to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis."
1968- Gun Control Act
The assassination of John F Kennedy, who was killed by a mail-order gun that belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald, inspired this major revision to federal gun laws. The key element of this bill outlawed mail-order sales of rifles and shotguns.
1986- Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act
This made it illegal for anyone to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition which are capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing.
1990- Crime Control Act
The crime control act directed the attorney general to develop a strategy for establishing "drug-free school zones", including criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone.
1994- Assault Weapons Ban
The assault weapons ban banned the manufacture, possession, and importation of new semiautomatic assault weapons and magazines for civilian use. this was passed five years before columbine, and expired in 2004.
2013- Obama proposes changes to gun control
President Obama has proposed significant change in gun control. His plan includes universal background checks for gun sales, the reinstatement and strengthening of the assault weapons ban, limiting ammunition magazines to a 10-round capacity, and other measures.
The second amendment was ratified in 1791 and states, "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."
1871- NRA Founded
Union soldiers Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate founded the NRA to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis."
1968- Gun Control Act
The assassination of John F Kennedy, who was killed by a mail-order gun that belonged to Lee Harvey Oswald, inspired this major revision to federal gun laws. The key element of this bill outlawed mail-order sales of rifles and shotguns.
1986- Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act
This made it illegal for anyone to manufacture or import armor piercing ammunition which are capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing.
1990- Crime Control Act
The crime control act directed the attorney general to develop a strategy for establishing "drug-free school zones", including criminal penalties for possessing or discharging a firearm in a school zone.
1994- Assault Weapons Ban
The assault weapons ban banned the manufacture, possession, and importation of new semiautomatic assault weapons and magazines for civilian use. this was passed five years before columbine, and expired in 2004.
2013- Obama proposes changes to gun control
President Obama has proposed significant change in gun control. His plan includes universal background checks for gun sales, the reinstatement and strengthening of the assault weapons ban, limiting ammunition magazines to a 10-round capacity, and other measures.