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Second Amendment
The Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution is ratified. The Second Amendment 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." Arguably the most important aspect of a gun control timeline- the origin -
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Brief History Of Gun Control
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Founding of NRA
Union Army officers Col. William C. Church and Gen. George Wingate found the National Rifle Association (NRA) to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis." Beginning of the biggest vocal organization on behalf of firearms in the US -
Ruling on Constituionality
The U.S. Supreme Court holds in the United States v. Cruikshank the right to bear arms "is not a right granted by the Constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that instrument for its existence." Supreme court once ruled that you are not granted the right to a firearm - 150 years ago -
Federal Firearms Act
The Federal Firearms Act requires gun sellers to obtain a Federal Firearms License and to maintain records of the names and addresses of gun purchasers. Gun sales to convicted felons are prohibited. Crackdown on firearms. No more for convicted felons/maintain records etc. -
Gun Control Act
The assassinations of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy fuel the passage of the Gun Control Act. The Act prohibits the direct mail order of firearms and ammunition, regulates imported guns, expands record-keeping requirements and prevents convicted felons, mentally ill people, illegal drug users and others from buying guns. Even further crackdown on firearms. Kinda an extension of the Federal Firearms Act -
Gun-Free School Zones Act
The Gun-Free School Zones Act, enacted as section 1702 of the Crime Control Act, makes it a crime to possess or discharge a firearm within 1000 feet of a school. Emphasis on the school aspect of this issue. (considering its the spark of all the national contraversy) -
Columbine School Shooting
Teenagers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold kill a teacher and a dozen students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. This tragedy fuels a new campaign on gun control. Theres always specific events that get us fired up. Till everyone forgets until the same thing happens again. Lets either care or don't. End fake empathy. -
Half Of Americans Own Guns
According to the NRA, more than half of American households own guns. Emphasis on the amount of firearms we own in the US. Why this issue is so important -
Ruling On Mental Illness
President George W. Bush signs the National Instant Check System (NICS) Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to keep guns out of the hands of people with a history of dangerous mental illness. This measure was enacted in reaction to the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre by Cho Seung-Hui. His name had not been entered into the background-check system after he was determined by a judge to be a danger to himself. Important restriction to limits of owning a firearm. -
Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting
A gunman enters Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and fatally shoots 26 people. Twenty of the victims are children. The shooting fuels new calls for changes in gun control legislation. Most notably recent event in the gun control area.
