FRC Jurisdictions Portal

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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.

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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.
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Now showing 1 - 40 of 59

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 358 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1792)
"[A]ll free negroes and Indians, (nations of Indians in amity with the State excepted,) Moors, mulattoes and mestizoes, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, shall be obliged to serve in the said militia.
1786 Vt. Acts & Laws 8
(1793)
Every non-commissioned officer and private had to "constantly keep himself provided with a good musket, with an iron or steel rod, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a priming wire and brush, and a knapsack; a cartridge box and pouch, with a box therein, sufficient to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket."Horsemen were required to provide themselves with "a pair of pistols, and sabre, and cartridgebox to contain twelve cartridges for pistols."665 Cavalry officers needed "a pair of pistols, and sword."
14 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 457-58 (1909)
(1793)
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in order that the militia may be properly armed, equipped and accoutred, every citizen enrolled and notified of this enrollment in manner aforesaid, except as is hereinbefore excepted, shall, within six months after receiving such notice, provide himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrement hereinafter mentioned, viz.: Every non-commissioned officer and private of the infantry (including grenadiers and light infantry and of the artillery) shall have a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints and a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball, or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle and a quarter of a pound of powder; the commissioned officers of infantry shall be armed with a sword or hanger and an espontoon, and those of artillery with a sword or hanger, a fuzee, bayonet and belt, and a cartridge box to contain twelve cartridges. The commissioned officers of the several troops of horse shall furnish themselves with good horses, of at least fourteen hands and an half high, and shall be armed with a sword and a pair of pistols, the holsters of which shall be covered with bearskin caps; each light-horseman or dragoon shall furnish himself with a serviceable horse, of at least fourteen hands and an half high, a good saddle, bridle, mail pillion and valise holsters, and a breast plate and crupper, a pair of boots and spurs, a pair of pistols, a sabre and a cartouch box, to contain twelve cartridges for pistols; the artillery and horse shall be uniformly clothed in regimentals, to be furnished at their own expense, the color and fashion to be determined by the brigadier commanding the brigade to which they belong; every militiaman shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided when called out to exercise or into service (except that when called out on company days to exercise only he may appear without a knapsack) and every man so enrolled as aforesaid, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions, or sales for debt or the payment of taxes. Each battalion and regiment shall be provided with the state and regimental colors by the field officers, and each company with a drum and fife or bugle horn by the commissioned officers of the company; the expenses of such colors, drums, fifes or bugle horns to be repaid to the officers out of the fines incurred by this act.
1792 N.C. Sess. Laws 33-34
(1792)
The minimum age remained 18, while the maximum dropped to 45. The mandatory arms paralleled the federal statute. Each infantryman was required to "provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than 24 cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball ; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder-horn, 20 balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder."
1797 N.J. Laws 219-20
(1797)
Required the assessor of each town to compare the list of 18-to-45-year-olds in the community to the list of persons enrolled for military duty, and to ensure that everyone 18 and older who was not exempted was keeping the proper arms and fulfilling his militia duties.
1792 N.J. Laws 850
(1792)
Raised the minimum age to 18, and lowered the maximum age to 45. Further, "every non-commissioned Officer and Private of the Infantry (including Grenadiers, Light Infantry and Artillery) until supplied with Ordinance and Field Artillery, shall have a good Musket or Firelock, a sufficient Bayonet and Belt, two spare Flints and a Knapsack, a Pouch with a Box not less than twenty-four Cartridges suited to the Bore of his Musket or Firelock, each Cartridge containing a proper Quantity of Powder and Ball; or with a good Rifle, Knapsack, Pouch and Powder-Horn, twenty Balls suited to the Bore of his Rifle, and a Quarter of a Pound of Powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into Service.
6 Laws of New Hampshire, Second Constitutional Period 84-85, 88-89 (N.H. Sec'y of State ed., 1917)
(1792)
The militia consisted of "every free, able bodied white male citizen of this State resident therein who is, or shall be of the age of eighteen years and under the age of Forty years." Commissioned officers had to have "a pair of Pistols, the holsters of which to be covered with bear-skin Caps." Commissioned officers might have an espontoon, but field officers would not. Again, "parents, Masters, or Guardians" had to furnish their charges with "Arms and Accoutrements." And again they were "liable for the neglect and non appearance of such persons ... under their care. Also required"[t]he Commisioned Officers to furnish themselves with good horses of at least fourteen hands and one half high, and to be armed with a Sword, and a pair of Pistols; the holsters of which to be covered with bear-skin Caps..." and "That each Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier ... shall within one year from and after the passing this Act, furnish himself with a good firelock, Bayonet and Belt, a Cartouch box that will contain twenty four Cartridges, two good flints, a Knapsack and Canteen - and that the commisioned Officers belonging to Companies of foot, shall be severally armed with a Sword or hanger, and an Wspontoon, and that the filed Officers be armed with a sword or hanger..."
1799 N.J. Laws 609
(1799)
Eliminated non-whites from the militia. Persons who were granted militia exemptions (e.g., physicians, clergy) had to pay a three-dollar annual fee. In case the militia were "called into actual service," exempted persons too would be liable to serve.
1785-99 Md. Laws 845
(1798)
Required that "one complete company of infantry annexed to each regiment within this state, to be furnished with arms and accoutrements at the expense of the state … composed of men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty years."
1785-99 Md. Laws 455
(1793)
Raised the minimum age to eighteen and lowered the maximum age to forty-five.
19 The Colonial Records of the State of Georgia 348-49 (Pt. 2, 1911)
(1791)
Required males between 16 and 50 to serve in the militia and provide their own arms. The arms requirement was "one rifle musket, fowling- piece or fusee fit for action, with a cartridge box or powder-horn answerable for that purpose with six cartridges or powder and lead equal thereto and three flints."
2 Del. Laws 1134 (1797)
(1793)
Included "each and every free able bodied white male citizen of this state, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years." However, "all young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide, and for a valuable consideration, [were] exempted from furnishing the necessary arms, ammunition and accoutrements ... and [were] exempted from militia duties and fines during such minority or servitude, except in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion."
Uniform Militia Act of 1792, ch. 33, § 1, 1 Stat. 271, 271-72
(1792)
That each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act. And it shall at all time hereafter be the duty of every such Captain or Commanding Officer of a company, to enroll every such citizen as aforesaid, and also those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of 18 years, or being at the age of 18 years, and under the age of 45 years (except as before excepted) shall come to reside within his bounds; and shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrollment, by the proper non-commissioned Officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proved. That every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder- horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack. That the commissioned Officers shall severally be armed with a sword or hanger, and espontoon; and that from and after five years from the passing of this Act, all muskets from arming the militia as is herein required, shall be of bores sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound; and every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with the arms, ammunition and accoutrements, required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempted from all suits, distresses, executions or sales, for debt or for the payment of taxes.
2 Del. Laws 1225 (1797)
(1796)
Revised the organization and regulation of the militia, and again included able-bodied white males from 18 to 45. The act also forbade volunteer militias, because there were "a number of free able bodied white men in this state, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, who neglect and refuse to muster and do militia duty, in the companies in which they have been enrolled ... and yet meet together with arms in bodies distinguished and known by the name of Volunteer Companies."
1 Albert G. Hodges, A Digest of the Statute Laws of Kentucky 578-79 (1834)
(1799)
Prohibited dueling
Tenn. Const. of 1796, art. XI, § 26
(1796)
Provided that the freemen of the state have a right to keep and bear arms for their common defense.
Act of May 8, 1792, 1 Stat. 271
(1792)
The first Militia Act, used by Congress to mandate who must be enrolled within the militia.
1786 Vt. Acts, Oct. Sess. 30
(1793)
Every non-commissioned officer and private had to "constantly keep himself provided with a good musket, with an iron or steel rod, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a priming wire and brush, and a knapsack; a cartridge box and pouch, with a box therein, sufficient to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of his musket."664 Horsemen were required to provide themselves with "a pair of pistols, and sabre, and cartridge box to contain twelve cartridges for pistols."665 Cavalry officers needed "a pair of pistols, and sword."
16 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 297 (1911)
(1799)
Explicitly allowed "sons who are not subject to the militia law may be admitted as substitutes for their fathers."
14 The Statutes at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 456 (1909)
(1793)
"[A]ll young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide and for a valuable consideration," had to enroll in the militia. But "during such minority or servitude," they were exempt from training and from fines for not having the requisite equipment. The exception did not apply "in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion of this or any of the neighboring states."
2 Del. Laws 1134 (1797)
(1793)
Included " each and every free able bodied white male citizen of this state, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years." However, " all young men under the age of twenty-one years, and all servants purchased bona fide, and for a valuable consideration, [were] exempted from furnishing the necessary arms, ammunition and accoutrements . . . and [were] exempted from militia duties and fines during such minority or servitude, except in cases of rebellion, or an actual or threatened invasion."
2 Del. Laws 1225 (1797)
(1796)
Revised the organization and regulation of the militia, and again included able-bodied white males from 18 to 45. The act also forbade volunteer militias, because there were " a number of free able bodied white men in this state, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, who neglect and refuse to muster and do militia duty, in the companies in which they have been enrolled . . . and yet meet together with arms in bodies distinguished and known by the name of Volunteer Companies."
6 Laws of New Hampshire, Second Constitutional Period 84-85 (N.H. Sec'y of State ed., 1917)
(1792)
The militia consisted of "every free, able bodied white male citizen of this State resident therein who is, or shall be of the age of eighteen years and under the age of Forty years. Commissioned officers had to have "a pair of Pistols, the holsters of which to be covered with bear-skin Caps." Commissioned officers might have an espontoon, but field officers would not. Again, "parents, Masters, or Guardians" had to furnish their charges with "Arms and Accoutrements." And again they were "liable for the neglect and non appearance of such persons . . . under their care.
8 The Statutes at Large of South Carolina: Containing the Acts Relating to Corporations and the Militia 485 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1794)
Organized its militia "in conformity with the act of Congress." The South Carolina militia was "every citizen who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of eighteen years." It excluded "all persons under the age of eighteen, and above the age of forty-five years." Additionally, "all free white aliens or transient persons, above the age of eighteen and under the age of forty-five years, who have resided or hereafter shall or may reside in this state for the term of six months [were] subject and liable to do and perform all patrol and militia duty which shall or may be required by the commanding officer" of the district." The required arms were the same as the federal Uniform Militia Act.
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 691 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1791)
The necessary arms were revised in 1791. Firearms were "a good musket and bayonet . . . or other sufficient gun." Edged arms were "a good and sufficient small sword, broad sword, cutlass or hatchet." Along with the usual cartouch box, powder horn or flask, shot bag or pouch, spare flint, and ammunition.
1792 N.C. Sess. Laws 33
(1792)
The minimum age remained 18, while the maximum dropped to 45. The mandatory arms paralleled the federal statute. Each infantryman was required to "provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than 24 cartridges suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball ; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch and powder-horn, 20 balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder."
1798 Md. Laws ch. C, § XXIII
(1798)
Required that "one complete company of infantry annexed to each regiment within this state, to be furnished with arms and accoutrements at the expense of the state ? composed of men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty years."
1803 Va. Acts 187
(1792)
Ch. 103, §§ 8-9: Prohibited any "negro or mulatto" from possessing or carrying a gun, powder, shot, club, or other weapon.
13 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large; Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 355 (1823)
(1792)
An act for regulating the militia of this Commonwealth: "All arms, ammunition, and equipments of the militia, shall be exempted from executions and distresses at all times?"
1791 S.C. Acts 16
(1791)
An Act To Amend And More Effectually Put In Force For The Time Therein Limited, The Act Entitled An Act For The Regulation Of The Militia Of This State (Dec. Session): That every free man of this state, liable to bear arms in any of the regiments, battalions or companies of foot in this state and who shall appear at any such regiment or battalion muster or at any muster or review ordered by his Excellency the governor, or at any company muster ordered in pursuance of this act, or by virtue of the said act of the twenty-sixth day of March 1784, not provided with a good musket and bayonet, and cartouch box capable of containing at least twelve rounds of cartridges or other sufficient gun and a good and sufficient small sword, broad sword, cutlass or hatchet, and a powder horn or flask capable of holding at least 12 rounds of powder, and a good shot bag or pouch, capable of holding twelve balls of a proper size for his gun, and with three spare flints, shall forfeit and pay for each and every such default, the sum of two dollars, or the sum of half a dollar for each article of arms or accoutrements herein before directed, to be affected and levied on such defaulter, in the manner in and by the said act directed and appointed.
1810 R.I. Pub. Laws 52
(1798)
An Act Relative To The Keeping Gun-Powder In The Town Of Providence, §2: That no person or persons shall hereafter keep or deposit gunpowder, in a greater quantity than twenty-eight pounds, in any shop, building or other place, in the town of Providence, except such place or places as the Town Council of said town shall allow and designate for that purpose.
1794 R.I. Pub. Laws 21
(1794)
An Act To Organize The Militia Of This State, § 10: That every Corporal who shall neglect to warn the Men to appear at every Rendezvous mentioned in this Act, when thereunto required as aforesaid without sufficient excuse, shall forfeit the Sum of Twelve Shillings, Lawful Money: That every non-commissioned officer or private who shall neglect to appear at the regimental Rendezvous, shall forfeit the sum of Six Shillings and for every day he shall neglect to appear at the company parade, he shall forfeit Four Shillings and Sixpence. And if he shall not be armed and equipped according other said Act of congress, when so appearing, without sufficient excuse, he shall, for appearing without a gun, forfeit one shilling and sixpence; without bayonet and belt six pence; without a Bayonet and Belt, Sixpence; without a Cartouch-Box and Cartridges, Sixpence. . .
1791 Pa. Laws 105, ch. 1573, § 1, in 14 Stat. at Large of Pa. from 1682 to 1801 (1791)
(1791)
That it shall and may be lawful for the owners of gun-powder not deposited , or to be deposited, in the said magazine, the square to the south of Vine street, to remove and deposit the same in the said new magazine; and all gun-powder brought into the city of Philadelphia, from and after the first day of July next, shall be deposited and kept in the said new magazine subject to the regulation contained in the said first recited act.
Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at 240-41, ch. 1846, § 1 (vol. 3, 1810)
(1795)
§all gun-powder manufactured within this state, with intent to sell the same within the city or county of Philadelphia, shall be put in good and tight kegs or casks of twenty-five, fifty, or one hundred pounds neat weight , each made of well seasoned timber, bound together with at least twelve loops, and having a hole bored in each head with the diameter of one fourth part of an inch, well stopped with corks and having the tare weight (weight of the actual keg or cask) of each cask marked thereon, and that all such gun-powder, and all other gun-powder, wheresoever manufactured imported into the port of Philadelphia, or brought into the city or county of Philadelphia for sale, shall be deposited, forthwith on such importation or bringing by land or by water, in the public magazine in in the said city, and delivered to the care of the keeper the same, who shall give his receipt for the same, deliverable to the order of him or them who shall deposit the same.
1794 Pa. Laws 764, An Act Providing For The Inspection of Gunpowder chap. 337
(1794)
Required gunpowder intended for sale in Philadelphia to be sold in "good and tight" kegs of varying weights, quality timber,at least twelve hoops, a hole bored, and marked on the barrel. Powder shall be inspected using a pendulum powder proof.
Stat. of Ohio & N.W. Terr. 106, ch 14, § 4 (Vol. 1, 1833)
(1790)
§That if any person shall presume to discharge or fire, or cause to be discharged or fired, any gun or other fire-arms at any mark or object, or upon any pretence whatever, unless he or she shall at the same time be with such gun or fire-arms at the distance of at least one-quarter of a mile from the nearest building of any such city, town, village or station, such person shall for every such offence, forfeit and pay to the use of the county in which the same shall be committed, a sum not exceeding five dollars, not less than one dollar
Stat. of Ohio & N.W. Terr. 378-79, ch 25, § 1 (Vol. 1, 1833)
(1799)
[t]hat each and every free, able bodied, white male citizen of the territory, who is or shall be the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty five-years, except as is herein after excepted, shall . . . be enrolled in the militia . . . and every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket,
Francois X. Martin, A Collection of Statutes of the Parliament of England in Force in the State of North Carolina 60-61 (1792)
(1792)
Restatement of the Statute of Northampton, prohibiting going armed with force and arms in affray of peace, nor to go nore ride armed by night nor by day in fairs, markets, nor "in the presence of the King's Justices.
Laws and Ordinances, Ordained and Established by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of the City of New York 25-26 (1799)
(1799)
A Law to regulate the keeping of gun-powder in the city of New York: That no person or persons shall keep in any house, shop store house or other place within two miles of the city hall of the said city (Magazines of powder of the United States or of this state only excepted) any more or greater quantity of gun powder at one time than twenty-eight pounds,
1792 N.Y. Laws 191
(1792)
Prohibited storing of gun powder beyond twenty-eight pounds in weight in one location. Violators fined fifty pounds for every "hundred weight" of powder overstocked. Note: The law was passed in 1788, not 1792.

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