FRC Jurisdictions Portal

Permanent URL for this communityhttps://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/1

This top community organizes Firearms Research Center holdings by jurisdiction. It provides separate collections for U.S. states, territories, the District of Columbia, and the federal jurisdiction, spanning the territorial period to the present.

Scope of Content

Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and selected municipal ordinances.
Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, company records, and oral histories tied to specific places and periods.
Research outputs: FRC reports, datasets, and interpretive materials that contextualize legal and technical developments.

How to Use

Browse: open a jurisdiction collection to view items for that state, territory, DC, or the federal jurisdiction.
Search: use keywords and filter by Jurisdiction, Date Issued, and Category. Record any Exceptions noted for applicability.
Cite: use the item’s identifier and provided links (Original Source and Duke reference) when available.

Metadata & Standards

Items are described using Dublin Core with standardized fields for Jurisdiction, Date Issued, Category, and Exceptions to support precise discovery and comparison.

Questions

For questions about coverage, rights, or submissions, contact the Firearms Research Center (firearmsresearchcenter.org).

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 40 of 87

7 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 93-94 (1823)
(1757)
Restored the minimum militia age to 18 and set the maximum age at 60. Soldiers had to furnish themselves with "a firelock well fixed, a bayonet fitted to the same," and keep an extra pound of powder and "four pounds of ball" at home.
4 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 78 (1823)
(1720)
Appropriated one thousand pounds to distribute "to each christian titheable [subject to taxation], one firelock, musket, one socket, bayonet fitted thereto, one cartouch box, eight pounds bullet, two pounds powder, until the whole one thousand pounds be laid out."
5 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 16 (1823)
(1738)
The militia under this act consisted of "all male persons, above the age of one and twenty years."
5 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682-1801, at 197-200 (1898)
(1755)
"No youth under the age of twenty-one years nor any bought servant or indented apprentice shall be admitted to enroll himself or be capable of being enrolled in the said companies or regiments without the consent of his or their parents or guardians, masters or mistresses, in writing under their hands first had and obtained."
8 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 492 (1902)
(1755)
Provided "that it be recommended to all male white persons within this province, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, who have not already associated, and are not conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, to join the said [militia] association immediately."
9 Stat. at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 643 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1739)
"all persons who are liable to bear arms, shall constantly keep in their houses such arms, furniture, ammunition and accoutrements.
8 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 539 (1902)
(1755)
Imposed a special tax on "every male white person capable of bearing arms, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years" who had not joined a militia.
1746 N.C. Sess. Laws 244
(1746)
Mandated that each militiaman appear with "a Gun, fit for service, a Cartouch Box, and a Sword, Cutlass, or Hanger [a type of sword], and at least Twelve Charges of Powder and Bail, or Swan Shot, and Six Spare Flints
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 307 (1980)
(1755)
Set the minimum age at twenty-one for enlistment for out-of-colony service without consent of a parent, guardian, or master.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 502 (1980)
(1757)
Kept the age for militia between the Age of Sixteen and Fifty Years.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 385, 425 (1980)
(1756)
Set the minimum age at twenty-one for enlistment for out-of-colony service without consent of a parent, guardian, or master.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 15 (1980)
(1746)
Sought to raise 500 troops for a state army expedition against Canada. This act also made it unlawful for an officer "to inlist any young Men under the Age of Twenty One Years, or any Slaves who are so for Term of Life, bought Servants, or Apprentices, without the Express Leave in Writing of their Parents or Guardians, Masters or Mistresses."
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 5 (1980); see also 1753 N.J. Laws ch. 257; 1766 N.J. Laws ch. 422; 1770 N.J. Laws ch. 520; 1771 N.J. Laws ch. 539
(1746)
Each militiaman between the Age of Sixteen and Fifty Years" must "be sufficiently armed with one good sufficient Musket or Fuzee well fixed, a Sword or Bayonet, a Cartouch-Box or Powder-Horn," plus bullets and powder.
52 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1755-1756, at 457 (1935)
(1756)
And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that as much Gunpowder and lead as can conveniently be spared Shall be taken out of the Publick Magazine and transmitted in due proportions and as the Same may be needed first to the Colonels and Commanding Officers of the Frontier Counties of this Province then to the Colonels and Commanding Officers of the other Counties respectively to be distributed by them in just and equal Proportions to and among the Persons under their Command so as that no more than one pound of Gunpowder and three pounds of Lead be delivered to any one Person and in Case that after such Distribution any Surplus shall remain the Said Colonels or Commanding Officers are hereby required to retain and keep the Same in their Possession to be disposed of as hereinafter directed And be it further Enacted that if any private Man of the Militia of this Province shall in the Course of his Duty by the Command of his Superiour Officer expend any part of the Quantity of Powder and Lead by this Act directed to be brought by every Person to the Place of Muster it Shall and may be lawful for such Superiour Officer and he is hereby required to deliver to such Person a certificate of the Number of Charges so expended directed to the Colonels and Commanding Officers of the County in which Such Person resides and such Colonels and Commanding Officers or any of them in whose hands any Surplus shall be as aforesaid shall immediately on such Certificates being produced deliver to Such Person the Quantity of Gunpowder and Lead therein Mentioned. Provided always that no Gunpowder shall at any Time be expended in training unless by the Order and Direction of the Colonel or Commanding Officer of the County.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 5 (1980)
(1746)
Required most men aged 16 to 50 to enroll in the colonial militia, provide their own weapons and ammunition, attend regular training musters, and obey military officers. Violators faced fines and, if unpaid, up to three days' imprisonment.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 502-11 (1980)
(1757)
Required most men aged 16 to 50 to enroll in the colony's militia, maintain specified arms and ammunition, and attend three annual training musters. Absences, appearing unarmed, or failing to keep required equipment resulted in fines, enforceable through seizure and sale of property. Captains were required to inspect arms regularly. Selling alcohol to militia members during musters was prohibited and punishable by fine. During invasions, rebellions, or alarms, militia members were subject to court-martial discipline for disobedience or nonappearance, though punishments could not include death or mutilation.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 425-36 (1980)
(1756)
Established a colonel to command New Jersey's frontier forces and required him to oversee discipline, training, and military readiness. He was obligated to conduct regular inspections of forts and posts, maintain at least eighty men on patrol, keep detailed records of enlistments, discharges, deaths, and military activities, and submit periodic reports to the governor and legislature. The colonel was also required to take loyalty oaths and swear to maintain accurate muster rolls and payroll records to prevent fraud and ensure proper compensation of soldiers.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 385-90 (1980)
(1756)
Authorized New Jersey to raise 250 volunteer freemen to defend the Sussex County frontier against Native American attacks. The volunteers were organized into three companies, received pay and limited protection from civil debt collection, and could be supplied with colony-owned muskets if necessary. The law prohibited enlisting minors, slaves, servants, or apprentices without permission and imposed substantial penalties on officers who violated those restrictions. It also appropriated funds for soldiers' wages, provisions, ammunition, and other military supplies, and established procedures for managing and disposing of unused stores.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 307-19 (1980)
(1755)
Authorized New Jersey to raise 500 free men and allied Native Americans for a military expedition against French encroachments. Volunteers received enlistment bonuses, military pay, and temporary protection from most civil debt collection, while safeguards prevented them from using enlistment to defraud creditors. Further, prohibited enlisting men under 21, slaves, servants, or apprentices without written permission from their parents, guardians, or masters. Justices could order their release, and officers who unlawfully enlisted or detained them faced substantial fines: £500 for minors, £100 for slaves, and £20 for servants or apprentices.
3 Bernard Bush, Laws of the Royal Colony of New Jersey 15-20 (1980)
(1746)
Encouraged 500 freemen and allied Native Americans to enlist for a campaign against French Canada by offering a £6 bonus, temporary protection from most civil debt collection, and military pay. It prohibited enlisting minors, slaves, servants, or apprentices without permission and imposed substantial penalties for unlawful enlistment.
1 Albert G. Hodges, A Digest of the Statute Laws of Kentucky 787 (1834)
(1738)
Designated deer hunting seasons and penalties for out-of-season harvests.
9 Stat. at Large of S.C. 633 (1841)
(1721)
"Acts relating to the Militia," Stateutes at Large of South Carolina No. 440: Required that master or mistress provide "every white male servant or servants… at the term and exdpirtation of his or their srvice be freed and discharged shall be provided with such good and sufficient arms, ammunition, and accoutrments, as by this act is directed..."
18 The Colonial Records of the State of Georgia 117-18 (1910)
(1755)
Requirement that "any Slave" have a ticket to use a firearm that must be renewed every month, subject to seizure.
4 William Waller Hening, The Statutes at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 78 (1823)
(1720)
Appropriated one thousand pounds to distribute "to each christian titheable [subject to taxation], one firelock, musket, one socket, bayonet fitted thereto, one cartouch box, eight pounds bullet, two pounds powder, until the whole one thousand pounds be laid out."
1756 R.I. Laws, Feb Sess. 73
(1756)
Made the parents of militiamen under 21 liable for unpaid fines for neglect of duty.
8 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 539 (1902)
(1755)
Imposed a special tax on "every male white person capable of bearing arms, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years" who had not joined a militia.
5 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682-1801, at 197-200 (1898)
(1755)
"No youth under the age of twenty-one years nor any bought servant or indented apprentice shall be admitted to enroll himself or be capable of being enrolled in the said companies or regiments without the consent of his or their parents or guardians, masters or mistresses, in writing under their hands first had and obtained."
8 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 492 (1902)
(1755)
Provided "that it be recommended to all male white persons within this province, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, who have not already associated, and are not conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, to join the said [militia] association immediately."
George H. Ryden, Delaware - The First State in the Union 117 (1938)
(1741)
Required males from 17 to 50 years to enlist. Besides that, everyone else who was living self-sufficiently (" every Freeholder and taxable Person" ) had to have the same arms as militiamen.
1 Del. Laws 175-76 (1797)
(1740)
Required " all the inhabitants and freemen" aged fifteen to sixty-three to " provide and keep . . . a well-fixed firelock or musket," plus ammunition supplies and cleaning tools.
3 Laws of New Hampshire: Province Period 83 (Henry Harrison Metcalf ed., 1915)
(1754)
Made the parents over persons under twenty-one liable for fines imposed for their sons' militia delinquency or neglect.
9 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Roads, Bridges and Ferries, With an Appendix, Containing the Militia Acts Prior to 1794, at 645-47 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1747)
Affirmed that it was "lawful to . . . call together all male persons in this Province, from the age of sixteen to sixty years." It also made "every person liable to appear and bear arms . . . keep in his house, or at his usual place of residence, and bring with him to such muster, exercise or training, one gun or musket, fit for service, a cover for his lock, one cartridge box," twelve cartridges, horn or flask filled with at least a quarter pound of gun powder, a shot pouch with appropriate bullets, "one girdle or belt, one ball of wax . . . to defend his arms in rain, one worm and picker, four spare flints, a bayonet, sword or hatchet.
52 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1755-1756, at 458 (1935)
(1756)
Kept the militia age at 16 to 60. This act changed the ammunition requirement to "nine Charges of Gun-powder and nine Sizeable Bulletts." Troopers needed to provide themselves with "a pair of good Pistols a good Sword or Hanger half a pound of Gun-powder and twelve Sizeable Bulletts and a Carbine —well fixed with a good Belt Swivel and Buckett."
6 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 531 (1819)
(1755)
§ 5: That every person so as aforesaid enlisted (except free mulattoes, negroes, and Indians) shall be armed in the manner following, that is to say: That every person so as aforesaid enlisted (except free mulattoes, negroes, and Indians) shall be armed in the manner following, that is to say: Every soldier shall be furnished with a firelock well fixed, a bayonet fitted to the same, a double cartouch-box.
5 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 17 (1819) (enacted 1738)
(1738)
An act for the better Regulation of the Militia: "That every person, so as aforesaid listed, free mulattos, negros and Indians,) and placed or ranked in horse or foot, shall be armed and accoutred in manner following: that is to say, Every horse-man shall be furnished with a serviceable Isorse, a good saddle, with breast-plate, crupper, curb-bridle, carbine or fuzee, and bucket, holsters, a case of pistols, cutting sword or cutlass, double cartouch-box, and six charges of powder,- and constantly appear with the same, at the time and place appointed for muster and exercise; and shall keep at his place of abode, one pound of powder, and four pounds of ball, and bring the same into the field with him, when thereunto required. And every footman shall be furnished with a firelock, musket, or fuzee, well fixed, a bayonet fitted to the same, or a cutting sword or cutlass, a cartouch-box, and three charges of powder"
5 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 62 (1819) (enacted 1738)
(1738)
Ch. 14, § 8: "That whosoever shall, hereafter, use any firehunting, or the killing of any deer by such means on any patented land; every person present at such fire hunting, shall forfeit and pay twenty shillings for every such offence: And if any Indian be found fire-hunting, as aforesaid, it shall and may be lawful, for the owner of such land, or his or her overseer, to take away the gun of such Indian, and the same to keep to his own use.'"
7 William Waller Hening, The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 35 (1820)
(1756)
Prohibited Catholics from being armed and requiring oaths of allegiance and supremacy in front of justices of the peace.
4 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 131 (1823)
(1723)
Ch. 4, § 14: "And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That no negro, mulatto,or Indian whatsoewver; (except as is hereafter excepted,) shall hereafter presume to keep, or carry any gun, powder, shot, any club, or other weapon whatsoever, offensive or defensive; but that every gun, and all powder and shot,whipped. and every such club or weapon. as aforesaid, found or taken in the hands, custody, or possession of any such negro, mulatto, or Indian, shall be taken away..."
5 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 61 (1819) (enacted 1738)
(1738)
Ch. 14, § 2: "That from and fter the passing of this act, it shall not be lawful for any person whatsoever, to hunt, shoot or kill, any bark, between the first day of December, and the last day of July, which shall be in any year; nor to hunt, shoot, or kill, any doe or fawn, between the first day of January, and the last day of September, in any year. And if any person whatsoever shall presume to hunt, shoot, or kill, or destroy, any such bucks, doe, or fawn, running wild in the woods, within the times herein before respectively limitted; or shall buy or receive the samee of any Indian, or other person; every such person so offending s?II forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings current money, for every buck, doe, or fawn, so killed, bought, or received;"
The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Edited Under Authority of the Legislature 417 (1840)
(1743)
"every white male inhabitant of this Province... who shall, on any Sunday or Christmas day in the year, go and resort to any church or any other public place of divine worship within this Province, and shall not carry with him a gun or a pair of horse pistols, in good order and fit for service, with at least six charges of gun-powder and ball, and shall not carry the same into the church or other place of divine worship as aforesaid, every such person shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shillings, current money, for every neglect of the same."

FRC Jurisdictions Portal

Scope of Content

How to Use

Metadata & Standards

Questions

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results