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.

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).

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 279

Ordinance no. 5, §§ 1 & 6, in The Nevada Democrat, Aug. 20, 1856, at 4 [DUPE]
(1856)
Chas. Ben. Darwin, Ordinances of the City of Burlington 112 (1856)
(1855)
Prohibited the discharge of firearms within the city.
Ordinance no. 5, §§ 1 & 6, in The Nevada Democrat, Aug. 20, 1856, at 4
(1856)
Imposed a $10 quarterly license on pistol and shooting galleries.
1866 N.C. Sess. Laws Priv. Sess. 63
(1856)
Imposed a $50 tax on all weapons.
William Stanley, Charter and Ordinances of the City of Leavenworth 42 (1859)
(1859)
§§ 1-2: Prohibited the carry of concealed weapons. Prohibited any person guilty of carrying a pistol, dirk, bowie-knife, colt, slung-shot, metal knuckles, or any other deadly weapon. Violators fined not less than five, nor more than two hundred dollars.
1841 Ala. Laws 148-49
(1841)
§ 4: Prohibited the concealed carrying of "a bowie knife, or knife or instrument of the like kind or description, by whatever name called, dirk or any other deadly weapon, pistol or any species of firearms, or air gun," unless the person is threatened with an attack or is traveling or "setting out on a journey." Punished by a fine of $50-100.
2 Albert G. Hodges, A Digest of the Statute Laws of Kentucky 1211 (1834)
(1831)
Required the quartermaster general to distribute public arms among the members of each company.
Wis. Stat. Ann. 2379, § 4384 (1889)
(1848)
If any person shall go armed with a dirk, dagger, sword, pistol or pistols, or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury or violence to his person, or to his family or property, he may, on complaint of any other person having reasonable cause to fear an injury or breach of the peace, be required to find sureties for keeping the peace for a term not exceeding six months, with the right of appealing as before provided.
An Ordinance Assessing Taxes for the City of Wheeling, in Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, April 7, 1856, at 2
(1856)
On every license to keep a pistol gallery, seventy-five dollars.
Constitution and Laws of His Majesty Kamehameha III., King of the Hawaiian Islands 19 (1852)
(1852)
§ 1: Prohibited the carry of any Bowie-knife, sword-cane, air gun, slung-shot, or other deadly weapon. Violators fined no less than ten but no more than thirty dollars.
Tex. Const., Art. I, § 13
(1845)
Declared every citizen "shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defence of himself and the State"
1859 Minn. Pub. Stat. 798-800
(1858)
Ch. 120, §§ 1, 8: That all able-bodied, white male citizens resident of this state, being eighteen years of age, and under the age of forty-five years, excepting persons exempt by law, shall be enrolled in the militia, and perform military duty in such manner-not incompatible with the constitution and laws of the United States-as hereinafter prescribed
Mason Brayman, Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois 176 (1845)
(1845)
Criminal Jurisprudence, § 139: Prohibited the carrying of "any pistol, gun, knife, dirk, bludgeon or other offensive weapon, with intent to assault any person. Punishable by fine up to $100 or imprisonment up to 3 months.
Leslie A. Thompson, A Manual or Digest of the Statute Law of the State of Florida 498 (1847)
(1832)
Act of Jan. 5, 1847, Ch. 75, § 3: Prohibited concealed carry of any dirk, pistol, or other arm or weapon. Violators fined not less than five dollars not exceeding five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not less than ten days nor exceeding six months.
S. Garfielde, Compiled Laws of the State of California 643-44 (1853)
(1850)
Ch. 125, div. 4, §§ 40-41: Prohibited dueling. Should the opponent be killed, violators and their seconds shall be punished in state prison for a term not less than one year but no more than five years.
Ark. Const. art. II, § 21 (1836)
(1836)
Establishes the right to keep and bear arms for "the free white men of this State."
1839 Wis. Terr. Stat. 381
(1838)
If any person shall go armed with a dirk, dagger, sword, pistol or pistols, or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury, or violence to his person, or to his family, or property, he may, on complaint of any other person having reasonable cause to fear an injury or breach of the peace, be required to find sureties for keeping the peace for a term not exceeding six months, with the right of appealing as before provided.
Statutes of the Territory of Wisconsin: Passed by the Legislative Assembly thereof, a Session commencing in November 1838, and at an adjourned Session commencing in January, 1839, at 381 § 16
(1838)
"If any person shall go armed with a dirk, dagger, sword, pistol or pistols, or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury, or violence to his person, or to his family, or property, he may, on complaint of any other person having reasonable cause to fear an injury or breach of the peace, be required to find sureties for keeping the peace for a term not exceeding six months, with the right of appealing as before provided."
Charter and Ordinances of the City of Milwaukee 126 (1852)
(1852)
No person shall fire or set off any squib, cracker, or gun-powder, or fire-work, or build any bonfire within one hundred feet of any building in this city, under the penalty of five dollars for each and every offence; and the Mayor, Marshal or any Aldermen or Fire Warden may restrain or prohibit any fire work or bonfire in any part of the city, whenever, in their opinion there shall be danger therefrom.
Ordinances of the City of Kenosha, Ordinance no. 8, §1 & §5 (1858)
(1858)
That no person shall fire or discharge any cannon, rifle, gun, pistol, or fire arms of any description, or fire, explode, or set off any squib, cracker, or other thing containing powder or other combustible or explosive material in any street, alley, or public ground within this city south of a line running through Lemon street from the lake to the west line of the corporation, and east of West Main Street. § 5 No person shall be allowed to keep any gunpowder in any occupied building within the limits of this city without permission of the council;— and no person shall keep in any such building a greater quantity than ten pounds; which shall be kept in a close tin canister or canisters.
Wis. Rev. Stat. 985, ch. 175, § 18 (1858)
(1858)
If any person shall go armed with a dirk, dagger, sword, pistol or pistols, or other offensive and dangerous weapon, without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury or violence to his person, or to his family or property, he may, on complaint of any other person having reasonable cause to fear an injury or breach of the peace, be required to find sureties for keeping the peace, for a term not exceeding six months, with the right of appealing as before provided.
J. Nelson Wisner, Ordinances and By-Laws of the Corporation of Martinsburg 26 (1875)
(1857)
The ordinance prohibited storing more than 25 pounds of gunpowder or rock powder in any building without special permission from the town council. Violators were subject to a $5–$10 fine.
J. Nelson Wisner, Ordinances and By-Laws of the Corporation of Martinsburg 25 (1875)
(1857)
Prohibited firing or discharging firearms or fireworks within the town or within 200 yards of its limits, except in specified circumstances. Violators faced a $1–$5 fine.
1859 Wash. Sess. Laws 109
(1859)
Ch. 2, § 30: Prohibited exhibiting, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, a pistol, Bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon. Punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year and a fine up to $500.
1854 Wash. Sess. Laws 80
(1854)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishments, and Proceedings in Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, § 28: Every person who shall assault and beat another with a cowhide or whip, having with him at the time a pistol, or other deadly weapon, shall on conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year, nor less than three months, and be fined in any sum not exceeding one thousand dollars.
1859 Wash. Sess. Laws 108-109
(1859)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishment and the Proceeding in Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, § 28: Every prison [sic] who shall assault and beat another with a cowhide or whip, having with him at the time a pistol or other deadly weapon, shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the county jail not more than one year nor less than three months, and be fined in any sum not exceeding one thousand dollars.
1859 Wash. Sess. Laws 107-08
(1859)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishment, and Proceedings in Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, §§ 14-15, 23: § 14. If either party to a duel be killed, the survivor shall be deemed guilty of murder in the second degree. § 15. If any person shall, by previous appointment made within, fight a duel without this territory, and in so doing shall inflict a mortal wound upon any person, whereof the person so injured shall die, such person so offending shall be deemed guilty of murder in the second degree, within any county in this territory. § 23. Every person who shall accept such challenge, or who shall knowingly carry or deliver any such challenge or message, whether a duel ensue or not, and every person who shall be present at the fighting of a duel with deadly weapons, as an aid, or second, or who shall advise, encourage, or promote such duel, shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the penitentiary, not more than five years nor less than six months.
1854 Wash. Sess. Laws 80
(1854)
An Act Relative to Crimes and Punishments, and Proceedings in Criminal Cases, Ch. 2, § 30: Prohibited exhibiting, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner, a pistol, Bowie knife, or other dangerous weapon. Punishable by imprisonment up to 1 year and a fine up to $500.
Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Richmond ch. 26, § 13 (1830)
(1830)
That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to fire or discharge any Gun, Pistol, Fowling-Piece or Fire-Arms, or to make any other unusual noise within the limits of this City, whereby the inhabitants thereof may be alarmed, except in cases of necessity or in the performance of some public and lawful act of duty, nor to discharge or set-off any Rocket, Cracker, Torpedo, Squib or Balloon, containing any substance in a state of combustion, or other Fire-works within the said City, without permission first had and obtained in writing, from the Mayor of the City, under the penalty of six dollars and sixty-six cents for each offence, if free
The Charters and Ordinances of the City of Richmond 227 (1859)
(1859)
An Ordinance Concerning Nuisances Other Than in the Streets, § 11: If any person shall sell, or expose for sale in this city, any torpedos, popcrackers, squibs, or other fire-works, of any kind whatever, except in packages containing each at least one hundred, or shall without permission in writing from the mayor, discharge, or set off, in any street or alley of the city, any balloon, rocket, torpedo, popcracker, fireworks or any combination of gunpowder, or any other combustible or dangerous material; or if any person shall, except under the fortieth section of the ordinance concerning streets, without necessity fire or discharge in this city any cannon, gun, pistol, or other fire-arms of any kind, or shall make therein any unusual noise, whereby the inhabitants thereof may be alarmed, or raise or fly a kite in this city, or if any auctioneer shall use any bell or herald to notify the public of any sale, except of real property, every such person herein offending, shall pay a fine of not less than one nor more than twenty dollars.
1838 Va. Acts 76
(1838)
Ch. 101, § 1: It is against the law to habitually or generally keep or carry about his person any pistol, dirk, bowie knife, or any other weapon of the like kind . . . hidden or concealed from common observation.
1847-48 Va. Acts 67
(1846)
Ch. 79, § 1: That if any person shall unlawfully shoot at another in any public square ... with intent in so doing to maim, disfigure, disable or kill such person, or to do him some other bodily harm, ... every such offender, his aiders and abettors, shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor. and shall on conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the common jail for a period not less than six months nor more than three years...
1847-48 Va. Laws 129, ch. 14, § 16.
(1848)
If any person shall go armed with any offensive or dangerous weapon without reasonable cause to fear an assault or other injury, or violence to his person, or to his family or property, he may be required to find sureties for keeping the peace for a term not exceeding twelve months, with the right of appealing as before provided.
1847-48 Va. Acts 110
(1847)
Ch. 7, § 8: Created a fine for habitual conceal carrying of any pistol, dirk, Bowie knife, or weapon of the like kind. Fifty dollars
Revised Ordinances of the Corporation of Winchester 78 (1856)
(1856)
Section 3 prohibited firing a gun or pistol within the corporation carries a $1 fine, unless done out of necessity during public duty or during a military parade ordered by a commanding officer. Section 4 prohibited discharging a cannon or field-piece within 100 yards of a dwelling without the owner or occupier's consent, subject to a $5 fine for anyone participating, aiding, or abetting. Section 5 prohibited selling fireworks, firecrackers, or squibs within the corporation, punishing with a $5 fine per offense. Section 6 prohibited setting off fireworks or flying kites within the corporation, resulting in a $1 fine per offense, with half of the collected fine awarded to the informer.
1849 Vt. Acts & Resolves 26
(1849)
Prohibited the manufacture, sale, giving, or disposing of any instrument or weapon usually known as a slungshot, and prohibited the carrying any slungshot or similar weapon. Violators guilty of misdemeanor, punishable by fine not exceeding five hundred but not less than two hundred dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
1852 Acts & Resolves of Vermont, 25
(1852)
No. 24, An Act to Prevent Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors for the Purpose of Drinking, §15: It shall be the duty of any sheriff, sheriff's deputy, constable, selectman, or grand juror, if he shall have information that any intoxicating liquor is kept or sold in any tent, shanty, hut or place of any kind for selling refreshments in any public place, except dwelling houses, on or near the ground of any cattle show, agricultural exhibition, military muster or public occasion of any kind, to search such suspected place without warrant, and if such officer shall find upon the premises any intoxicating liquor, he shall seize and apprehend the keeper or keepers of such place, and take them, with the liquor so found and seized, forthwith, or as soon as conveniently may be, before some justice of the peace of the town in which the same was found
1837 Vt. Acts & Resolves 38
(1837)
An Act for Regulating and Governing the Militia of This State, ch. 9, art. 20: Every non commissioned officer and private, who shall neglect to keep himself armed and equipped as provided by this act, or who shall, at any time of examination, or any company training, in the month of June, be destitute, or appear unprovided with the arms and equipments herein directed, excepting as before excepted, shall pay a fine not exceeding seventy-five cents for a gun, and twenty-five cents for each and every other article, in which he shall be delinquent; or if he shall appear with his arms in an unfit condition, he shall be fined not exceeding seventy-five cents, at the discretion of his commanding officer.
1866 Utah Terr. Acts 63
(1850)
That if any person shall hereafter trade or give any guns, rifies,pistols or any other deadly weapons, ammunition or spirituous liquors to any Indian, without having a license, he shall, on conviction thereof before any Justice of the Peace, he fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars for each offense, and also forfeit all the property received from the Indian, which shall be sold and the proceeds thereof paid into the public treasury."
1836 Tex. Gen. Laws 54-55, An Act to Provide for the National Defense by Organizing the Militia, § 1.
(1836)
That every citizen so enrolled and notified, shall within ten days thereafter provide himself with a good musket, a sufficient bayonet and belt, six flints, knapsack and cartridge box, with twenty-four suitable ball cartridges

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