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.

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.

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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.

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 422

Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 11 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
Prohibited the discharge of firearms within the city of New York.
1781 Del. Acts 1, 3
(1781)
Required most taxpaying men ages 18–50 to purchase and maintain militia arms and equipment at their own expense, imposing fines for noncompliance while exempting certain occupations and individuals.
Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Baltimore 277-83 (1801)
(1801)
Regulated gunpowder storage and transport to reduce fire and explosion risks. It limited private possession, required excess powder to be stored in a public magazine, imposed transport and shipping restrictions, authorized searches for violations, established a superintendent to manage the magazine, and imposed penalties for noncompliance.
Laws, Statutes, Ordinances, and Constitutions 39-40 (John Holt ed., 1763)
(1763)
Limits gunpowder stored within New York City, requires excess powder to be kept in licensed public magazines, regulates storage, transport, fees, and inspections, and imposes fines for violations to reduce fire and explosion risks.
1793 Mass. Acts 289-90
(1763)
Requires free, able-bodied white male citizens ages eighteen to forty-five to enroll in the state militia and prove eligibility if questioned.
9 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 267-68 (1823)
(1777)
Applied to "all free male persons, hired servants [not indentured], and apprentices, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years." "The county lieutenant, colonels, lieutenant colonels, and major" had to appear "with a sword." Every captain and lieutenant needed a "firelock and bayonet, a cartouch box, a sword, and three charges of powder and ball." Ensigns needed a sword. Non-commissioned officers and privates had to have a rifle and tomahawk, or good fire-lock and bayonet, with a pouch and horn, or a cartouch or cartridge box, and with three charges of powder and ball; and, moreover, each of the said officers and soldiers shall constantly keep one pound of powder and four pounds of ball, to be produced whenever called for by his commanding officer.
9 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 16, 28 (1823)
(1775)
Established militia age limits of 16 and 50. Every militiaman had to "furnish himself with a good rifle, if to be had, or otherwise with a tomahawk, common firelock, bayonet, pouch, or cartouch box, three charges of powder and ball, and appear with the same at the place appointed for mustering, and shall constantly keep by him one pound of powder and four pounds of ball."
11 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 476-78 (1823)
(1784)
Increased its militia's minimum age to 18, and kept the maximum age at 50. Militiamen were required to appear "armed, equipped, and accoutred" according to rank. "The county lieutenants, lieutenant colonels commandant, and majors, with a sword; the captains, lieutenants, and ensigns, with a sword and espontoon." Noncommissioned officers and privates needed to supply themselves "with a good clean musket, carrying an ounce ball, and three feet eight inches long in the barrel, with a good bayonet and iron ramrod well fitted thereto." Plus also "a cartridge box properly made, to contain and secure twenty cartridges" and "a good knapsack and canteen."
9 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 281 (1823)
(1777)
Required "all free born male inhabitants of this state, above the age of sixteen years" to "renounce and refuse all allegiance to George the third" and swear to "be faithful and bear true allegiance to the commonwealth of Virginia, as a free and independent state."
3 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 13 (1823)
(1684)
"every trooper of the respective colonies of this country, shall furnish and supply himself with a good able horse, saddle, and all arms and furniture, fitt and compleat for a trooper, and that every foot soldier, shall furnish himselfe, with a sword, musquet and other furniture fitt for a soldier, and that each trooper and foot soldier, be provided with two pounds of powder, and eight pounds of shott, and shall continually keep their armes well fixt, cleane, and fitt for the king's service."
3 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 335-38 (1823)
(1705)
The militia included "all male persons whatsoever, from sixteen to sixty years of age ... to serve in horse or foot." An infantryman needed "a firelock, muskett or fusee well fixed, a good sword," cartridge box, and ammunition. He had to bring six rounds of ammunition to muster. Additionally, he had to "have at his place of abode two pounds of powder and eight pounds of shott, and bring the same into the field with him when thereunto specially required." A horseman needed the usual tack and ammunition accoutrements along with a pair of pistols and a sword. He had to bring eight rounds of ammunition to muster. At his usual place of abode, he also had to keep a well fixed carabine, two pounds of powder and eight pounds of shot. The act made it unlawful for creditors to seize a militiaman's arms as payment for debts. If a creditor nevertheless took someone's militia equipment, the seizure would "be unlawful and void." Any "officer or person that presumes to make or serve the same" (e.g., a sheriff serving a writ of attachment) would "be lyable to the suit of the party grieved, wherein double damages shall be given upon recovery."
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."
3 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 205-07 (1823)
(1701)
Provided 500-acre land grants, with the proviso that the grantee keep "upon the said land one christian man between sixteen and sixty years of age perfect of limb, able and fitt for service." Such men should be "continually provided with a well fixt musquett or fuzee, a good pistoll, sharp simeter, tomahauk and five pounds of good clean pistoll powder and twenty pounds of sizable leaden bulletts or swan or goose shott to be kept within the fort directed by this act besides the powder and shott for his necessary or usefull shooting at game..."
7 William Waller Hening, Stat. at Large: Being a Collection of all the Laws of Virginia 534, 537 (1823)
(1762)
Ensured that "every person so exempted shall always keep in his house or place of abode such arms, accoutrements, and ammunition, as are by the [1757] act required to be kept by the militia."
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."
1786 Vt. Acts & Laws 6
(1786)
Kept the minimum militia age at 16, but lowered the maximum age to 45. The gun mandate was changed to "a good musket or firelock." The bayonet was now mandatory. Made separate provisions for horsemen; each dragoon had to provide "a case of good pistols, a sword or cutlass not less than three and one half feet in length," plus a pound of gunpowder, "three pounds of sizeable bullets," and eight flints. Since horsemen would have at least two guns (the pair of handguns) they needed a bigger supply of flints.
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.
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 665-75 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1778)
Applied to "all male free inhabitants ... from the age of sixteen to sixty years." Every militiaman had to "constantly keep in good repair, at his place of abode ... one good musket and bayonet, or a good substantial smooth bore gun and bayonet, a cross belt and cartouch box" that could hold thirty-six rounds, "twelve rounds of good cartridges," plus "half a pound of spare powder and twenty-four spare rounds of leaden bullets or buck-shot," a cover for the gunlock, wax, worm picker, and "one screw driver or substantial knife." Instead of the musket plus bayonet, a militiaman could choose "one good rifle-gun and tomahawk or cutlass."
Vermont State Papers, Being a Collection of Records and Documents, Connected with the Assumption and Establishment of Government by the People of Vermont 305 (1823)
(1779)
Provided that "all male persons, from sixteen years of age to fifty, shall bear arms." The firearm could be "a well fixed firelock, the barrel not less than three feet and a half long, or other good fire-arms." The edged arm was to be "a good sword, cutlass, tomahawk or bayonet." For cleaning, a soldier or "other householder" needed "a worm, and priming-wire, fit for each gun." Suitable ammunition storage for a solider could be with "a cartouch box, or powder-horn and bullet-pouch." Adequate supplies were at least a pound of gun powder, four pounds of bullets, "and six good flints."
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 689-90 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1784)
"Excused from militia duty, except in times of alarm ... all persons under the age of eighteen years or above the age of fifty years."
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."
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."
Laws and Acts of Her Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Province-Plantations Made from the First Settlement in 1636 to 1705, at 48 (1896)
(1700)
Persons subject to militia service also had to serve on watch and ward (day and night guard duty in towns). Mandatied that each militiaman appear with a "Good & Sufficient muskett or Fuze a Sword or Bayenet, Catooch box or Bandelers wth twelve Bulets fit for his Piece half a Pound of Powder & Six good Flints."
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 617-19 (David J. McCord ed., 1841)
(1703)
Included "all and every the inhabitants from the age of sixteen years to sixty." It required "each person or soldier" to appear "with a good sufficient gun, well fixed, a good cover for their lock, one good cartridge box, with at least twenty cartridges of good powder and ball, and one good belt or girdle, one ball of wax sticking at the end of the cartridge box, to defend the arms in rain, one worm, one wier and four good spare flints, also a sword, bayonet or hatchet.
The Charter and the Acts and Laws of His Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence-Plantations in America, 1719, at 86 (Sidney S. Rider, ed. 1895)
(1718)
Provided that "all male Persons ... from the Age of Sixteen, to the Age of Sixty Years, shall bear Arms." Arms were "one good Musket, or Fuzee, the Barrel whereof not to be less than three foot and an half in length," plus a sword or bayonet, a pound of gunpowder, thirty bullets, six flints, and a cartridge box.
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.
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.
1782 N.C. Sess. Laws 413-14
(1782)
Created a draft for the Continental Army. Subject to the draft were "all the inhabitants ... between the ages of sixteen and fifty." To prevent the widespread community practice of filling draft ranks with the most vulnerable and least motivated, the act specified that "no British or Hessian deserter who hath not been a resident of this State twelve months, or orphan or apprentice under eighteen years of age, Indian, sailor or negro slave, shall be received as a substitute for any class volunteer or draft whatever."
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."
1777 N.C. Sess. Laws 1
(1777)
The Militia of every County shall consist of all the effective men from sixteen to fifty years of age.
10 Stat. at Large of Pennsylvania from 1682 to 1801, at 191 (1904)
(1780)
Every militia company had to "provide or hire one able-bodied man not less than eighteen or more than forty-five years of age" to serve in the Pennsylvania Volunteers.
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
1715 N.C. Sess. Laws 29
(1715)
The Militia of this Government shall consist of all the Freemen within the same between the years of Sixteen years & Sixty. This included free blacks. Each militiaman had to provide himself with "a good Gun well-fixed Sword & at least Six Charges of Powder & Ball."
1760 N.C. Sess. Laws 518
(1760)
"[T]hat all Freemen and Servants within this Province, between the Age of Sixteen and Sixty ... there be mustered, trained, and exercised in Arms, and be provided with a well-fixed Gun, shall forfeit and Pay, if at a private Muster, Six Shillings, if at a general Muster Ten Shillings; and shall also be provided with a Cartouch-Box, a Sword, Cutlass or Hanger, and have at least Nine charges of Powder (made into Cartridges) and sizeable Bullets or Swan Shot, and Three spare-flints, a Worm, a Picker..."
1792 N.Y. Laws 227
(1786)
Defined the New York militia as "every able- bodied male person, being a citizen of this state, or of any of the United States, and residing in this state (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years." The arms were "a good musket or firelock," 24 bullets, "a sufficient bayonet" and other standard items."
1 The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution 231-32 (1896)
(1691)
Lowered the minimum militia age, so that "noe person whatsoever from fiftieen to Sixty years of Age remaine unlisted." For every foot soldier, "a well fixed muskett or fuzee" for officers, "a good pike or Sword or lance and pistoll." At home, every foot soldier was to have "one pound of good powder and three pound of Sizeable bulletts," and every Trooper (horseman) had to "have at his usuall place of abode a well fixed Carabine with belt and Swivell and two pounds of fine powder with Six pounds of Sizeable bulletts."
1715 N.C. Sess. Laws 30
(1715)
"And Be It Further Enacted by the Authority afors'd that all such persons who by this Act are exempt from Enlisting themselves or appearing at Muster as afors'd shall be ready at any time of danger to wait & attend the commands of the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being completely provided with Arms & Ammunition on Penalty of Ten Pounds for such neglect to be levied by Warrant from the Governor or Commander in Chief as before in this Act is appointed for other times."

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