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.

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Now showing 1 - 40 of 112

The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Portland 364-69, 371-72 (1911)
(1911)
These Portland laws regulated firearms, gunpowder, explosives, and other dangerous substances. They required licenses for selling or possessing larger quantities of gunpowder, established safe storage and transportation requirements, and restricted fireworks, blasting, silencers, and toy pistols. Gunpowder generally had to be securely stored, covered during transportation, and kept within specified quantity limits. Firearms could not generally be discharged within city limits. Carrying concealed or threateningly displaying deadly weapons was prohibited without a license, with exceptions for certain law enforcement officers. Violations could result in fines, imprisonment, seizure or forfeiture of weapons or explosives, and other penalties.
1899 Wyo. Rev. Stat. 1253, div. 5, tit. 1, ch. 3, § 5052
(1899)
This law prohibits selling or giving concealed deadly weapons to people under 21 and pistol ammunition to people under 16. Violators may be fined up to $50.
The Municipal Code of Berlin §§ 258–61 (1890)
(1890)
Any person who shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece, or other fire arm, within the limits of the City of Berlin except in the necessary defense of his person or property, shall pay a fine of not less than one dollar, nor more than ten dollars for each offense. Any person who shall sell, loan or furnish to any minor, any gun, pistol, fowling piece or other firearm within this City, shall pay a fine of not less than five dollars, nor more than twenty-five dol ars[sic] for each such offense.
1883 Wis. Sess. Laws 290
(1883)
It shall be unlawful for any minor, within this state, to go armed with any pistol or revolver, and it shall be the duty of all sheriffs, constables, or other public police officers, to take from any minor, any pistol or revolver, found in his possession. It shall be unlawful for any dealer in pistols or revolvers, or any other person, to sell, loan, or give any pistol or revolver to any minor in this state. It shall be unlawful for any person in a state of intoxication, to go armed with any pistol or revolver. Any person violating the provisions of this act, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100).
Wis. Stat. Ann. 2226, §§ 4397-4397b (1889)
(1889)
Prohibited carrying concealed dangerous weapons, carrying pistols or revolvers by minors or intoxicated persons, and selling, lending, or giving pistols or revolvers to minors. It also prohibited the sale or use of toy firearms. Violations generally carried up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine up to $100, or both.
1891 W. Va. Code 915-16
(1891)
Ch. 148, § 7: If a person carry about his person any revolver or other pistol, dirk, bowie knife, razor, slung shot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon of like kind or character, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined not less than twenty-five nor more than two hundred dollars, and may, at the discretion of the court, be confined in jail not less than one nor more than twelve months; and if any person shall sell or furnish any such weapon as is hereinbefore mentioned to a person whom he knows, or has reason, from his appearance or otherwise, to believe to be under the age of twenty-one years, he shall be punished as hereinbefore provided
1882 W. Va. Acts 421-22
(1882)
Ch. 148, § 7: Prohibited the carrying of a pistol, dirk, Bowie knife, razor, slungshot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon. Also prohibited selling any such weapon to a minor. Punishable by fine of $25-200 and imprisonment of 1-12 months.
1882 W. Va. Acts 421-22
(1882)
Ch. 135, § 1: Prohibited the carrying of a pistol, dirk, Bowie knife, razor, slungshot, billy, metallic or other false knuckles, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon. Also prohibited selling any such weapon to a minor. Punishable by fine of $25-200 and imprisonment of 1-12 months.
The Revised Statutes and Codes of the State of Washington 1042, § 6353 (Edward D. McLaughlin ed., 1896)
(1883)
§ 6353: Sale of Toy Pistols to Children, It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to sell or offer for sale, any toy pistols within this state, and every person who shall sell, give, furnish, or cause to be furnished to any person under the age of sixteen years, any pistol, toy pistol or other pocket weapon, in which explosives may be used, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined in any sum not less than five, nor more than twenty-five dollars.
Ordinance No. A 236, §§ 1 (Pts. 1, 7, 12, 21, & 31), 9, 10, 26, 37, & 39, Yakima City Council (1917)
(1917)
Any person in said city, except police officers and other persons who are authorized by law or have obtained proper authority so to do from the Chief of Police of said city, who shall carry or wear in any manner concealed upon his or her person, any dirk, dagger, stilletto, bowie-knife, sword-cane, gun, pistol, revolver sling-shot, metal knuckles, or any other dangerous weapon or instrument which may be used to inflict injury upon the person of another. Any person in said city, except police officers and other persons whose duty it is to make arrestes, who shall draw, exhibit or attempt to use, any deadly weapon with intent to do bodily injury to another, or with the intention of intimidating such other person.-Any person in said city, except police officers engaged in the lawful discharge of their duty, and persons practicing at target shooting in a duly licensed shooting gallery, who shall fire off or discharge any gun, pistol or fire arm of any kind within the city limits...or who shall sell or give, or permit to be sold or given away to any person under the age of twenty one-years any intoxicating liquor, cigar, cigarette, cigarette paper or wrapping, or tobacco in any form; or who shall sell, or give, or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years, any revolver, or pistol
Ordinance No. 97, §§ 1-4, Town Council of Stanwood (1918)
(1917)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, give or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen (18) years any revolver, pistol or toy-pistol within the town of Stanwood.
Ordinance No. 408, §§ 10, 11, 28, & 29, Anacortes City Council (1909)
(1909)
Every person, except a peace officer, who shall within the city of Anacortes, have concealed upon his person or who shall furtively carry, or conceal any dagger, dirk, knife, pistol, or other dangerous weapon shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Every person who shall within the city of Anacortes, manufacture, sell or dispose of or have in his possession any instrument or weapon of the kind known as slung shot, sand club or metal knuckles, excepting a peace officer, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor... Any person who shall within the city of Anacortes sell or give or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years any revolver, pistol, or toy pistol, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who shall within the city of Anacortes discharge any firearms, gun, cannon, pistol, air gun, bomb, or other dangerous explosive without having first obtained the written permission of the mayor thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
1935 Wash. Sess. Laws 599-601
(1935)
Ch. 172, § 8: No person shall deliver a pistol to any person under the age of twenty-one or to one who he has reasonable cause to believe has been convicted of a crime of violence, or is a drug addict, an habitual drunkard, or of unsound mind."
1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 942, 947
(1909)
Ch. 249, Subchapter 6-Crimes against Morality, Decency, etc., §193, no. 4: Every person who Shall sell, or give, or permit to be sold or given to any person under the age of eighteen years, any revolver, pistol, or toy pistol Shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
1923 Va. Gen. Laws 1422
(1902)
§ 4697: Prohibited transfer of "any toy gun, pistol, rifle, or other toy firearm, if the same shall, by means of powder or other explosive discharge blank or ball charges, to any person under the age of twelve years."
1902-03 Va. Acts 261
(1903)
Ch. 186, §§ 1-2: 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or association, to sell, barter, exchange, furnish, or dispose of by purchase, gift, or in any other manner, any toy gun, pistol, rifle, or other toy firearm, if the same shall, by means of powder or other explosive discharge blank or ball charges, to any person under the age of twelve years.
1889-90 Va. Acts 118
(1890)
Ch. 152, § 1: Banned the sale, barter, transfer, giving, or furnishing, or cause to be sold to any minor under sixteen pistols, dirks, Bowie knives. Violators fined not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
2 Va. Code, tit. 40, ch. 185, § 4695 (1919)
(1889)
Prohibited transfer "to any minor under sixteen years of age, cigarettes, or pistols, or dirks, or bowie knives."
1912 Vt. Acts and Resolves 306
(1912)
No. 229, §§ 1-2: A person, other than a parent or guardian, who sells or furnishes to a minor under the age of sixteen years a firearm or other dangerous weapon, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars nor less than ten dollars. This section shall not apply to an instructor or teacher who furnishes military weapons to pupils for instruction and drill. § 2. A child under the age of sixteen years who, without the consent of his parent or guardian, has in his possession or control a pistol or revolver constructed or designed for the use of gunpowder or other explosive substance with leaden ball or shot shall be fined not more than twenty dollars.
1905 Utah Laws 60
(1905)
§ 1. Selling or giving firearms to minors under fourteen. Any person who sells, gives or disposes of, or offers to sell, give or dispose of any pistol, gun, target gun, or other firearm, to any person under the age of fourteen years, is guilty of a misdemeanor. § 2. Minor under fourteen must not carry firearms. Any person under the ager of fourteen years who shall carry, or have in his possession, any pistol, gun, target gun or other firearm, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
1919 Utah Laws 1632
(1905)
§ 8494: "Any person who sells, gives, or disposes of, or offers to sell, give or dispose of any pistol, gun, target gun, or other firearm to any person under the age of fourteen years is guilty of a misdemeanor."
1897 Tex. Gen. Laws 221- 22
(1897)
Ch. 155, § 1: Prohibited the selling or giving to a minor a pistol, dirk, dagger, slungshot, sword cane, spear or knuckles made of any metal or hard substance, Bowie knife or any other knife manufactured or sold for the purpose of offense or defense without the consent of their parent or guardian. Punishable by fine of $25-200 and/or imprisonment for 10-30 days.
Digest of the Charters and Ordinances of the City of Memphis 50 (William H. Bridges ed., 1867)
(1867)
§ 4864: Prohibited selling, loaning, or giving to a minor a pistol, Bowie knife, dirk, Arkansas tooth-pick, hunter's knife, or like dangerous weapon, except a gun for hunting or self defense in traveling. Punishable by fine of minimum $25 and imprisonment.
The Revised Laws of the City of Nashville 68 (1850)
(1850)
An Act to Provide for the Prevention and Extinguishment of Fires within the City of Nashville, § 11.: That if any person or persons shall fire any gun or pistol, cast, throw, or fire any squib, rocket, cracker, or other combustible fire-works within the limits of the corporation, every such person, for every such offence, shall forfeit and pay the sum of five dollars; and if a slave, he, she or they shall receive not less than five, nor more than twenty lashes, any person or persons shall vend, manufacture, give away, deal in or have in his possession any squib, rocket, cracker, powder, or other combustible fire-works within the limits of the corporation of Nashville for the purpose of disposing of the same to minors or slaves, every such person, for every such offence, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty dollars.
1858 Tenn. Code 871
(1858)
§ 4864: "Any person who sells, loans, or gives to any minor a pistol, bowie-knife, dirk, Arkansas tooth-pick, hunter's knife, or like dangerous weapon, except a gun for hunting or weapon for defence in travelling, is guilty of a misdemeanor,"
2 Tenn. Comp. Stat. 125, tit. 12, ch. 9, art. 2, § 4864
(1856)
Any person who sells, loans, or gives, to any minor a pistol, bowie-knife, dirk, Arkansas tooth-pick, hunter's knife, or like dangerous weapon, except a gun for hunting or weapon for defense in traveling, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars, and be imprisoned in the county jail at the discretion of the court.
1855-56 Tenn. Pub. Acts 92
(1856)
Ch. 81, § 2: Prohibited the sale or transfer of any pistol, Bowie knife, dirk, Arkansas toothpick, or hunter's knife to a minor. Excepted the transfer of a gun for hunting.
1935 S.D. Sess. Laws 355
(1935)
Ch. 208, § 8: No person shall deliver a pistol to any person under the age of eighteen or to one who he has reasonable cause to believe has been convicted of a crime of violence, or is a drug addict, an habitual drunkard, or of unsound mind."
1923 S.C. Acts 221
(1923)
No. 148, § 19 (¶ 3): Prohibited the selling or giving to a minor a pistol or pistol cartridge, brass knucks, Bowie knife, dirk, loaded cane or slingshot. Also prohibited a parent from giving such a weapon to their child under 12 years old. Punishable by fine up to $50 or imprisonment up to 30 days.
Acts and Resolves Passed By the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 157 (1883)
(1883)
Ch. 374, § 1: No person shall sell to any child under the age of fifteen years, without the written consent of a parent or guardian of such child, any cartridge or fixed ammunition of which any fulminate is a component part, or any gun, pistol or other mechanical contrivance arranged for the explosion of such cartridge or of any fulminate.
1881 Pa. Laws 111, No. 124, § 1
(1881)
makes any person, "who shall knowingly and willfully sell or cause to be sold, to any person under sixteen years of age, any cannon, revolver, pistol or other such deadly weapon, ... shall, in every such case, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars."
A Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania: From the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred to the Sixth Day of July, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-Three, at 423-24, Crimes, pt. 6, § 113 (11th ed., Vol. 1, 1885)
(1883)
Any person who shall knowingly and willfully sell or cause to be sold to any person under sixteen years of age, any cannon, revolver, pistol or other such deadly weapon, or who shall knowingly and willfully sell, or cause to be sold, to any such minor, any imitation or toy cannon, revolver or pistol so made, constructed or arranged as to be capable of being loaded with gunpowder or other explosive substance, cartridges, shot, slugs or balls and being exploded, fired off and discharged, and thereby become a dangerous or deadly weapon, or who shall knowingly and willfully sell, or cause to be sold to any such minor, any cartridge, gunpowder or other dangerous and explosive substance, shall in every such case, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars.
1925 Or. Gen. and Special Laws 469-75
(1925)
it shall be unlawful for any person within this state to carry concealed upon his person or within any vehicle which is under his control or direction any pistol, revolver or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person without having a license to carry such firearm, as hereinafter provided in section 8 hereof
1903 Or. Laws 309-10
(1903)
An Act to Regulate and Prohibit the Sale, Barter, Exchange, or Gift of Explosives, Firearms or Other Articles of a Like Kind, to Children Under the Age of Fourteen Years, and to Punish the Violation of the Provisions of this Act. §§ 1-2: It shall be unlawful to sell, exchange, barter, or give to any child, under the age of fourteen years, any explosive article or substance, other than an ordinary firecracker, containing ten grains of gunpowder; or to sell, exchange, barter, or give to any such child any firearms, or other device of a like kind, ordinarily used or ordinarily capable of being used in discharging gunpowder in a greater quantity than ten grains; and it is herby made unlawful in any event to sell, exchange, barter, or give to any child, under the age of fourteen years, any instrument or apparatus, the chief utility of which consists in the fact that it is used, or is ordinarily capable of being used, as an article or device to increase the force or intensity of such explosive, or to direct or control the discharge of any such explosive
1917 Or. Gen. and Special Laws 804, ch. 377, § 1-11
(1917)
No person shall carry in any city, town, or municipal corporation of this State any pistol, revolver or other firearm concealed upon his or her person, or of a size which may be concealed upon his or her person, without a license or permit therefor, issued to him or her by a chief of police or sheriff of such city, town or municipal corporation, or in such manner as may be prescribed by ordinance of such city, town or municipal corporation. This section, however, shall not apply to sheriffs and their deputies, constables, marshals, police officers or any other duly appointed peace officers, nor to any person or persons summoned by such officers to assist in making arrest or preserving the peace while said person or persons are engaged in assisting such officers; nor to duly authorized military organizations when parading, nor to members thereof when going to and from places of meeting of their respective organizations.
1903 Okla. Rev. Stat. Ann. 643-44 ch. 25, art. 45, § 583-592
(1903)
Prohibited the concealed carrying of any pistol, revolver, Bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slungshot, sword cane, spear, metal knuckles, or other kind of knife manufactured for defense.
1893 Okla. Terr. Stat. 503, ch. 25, art. 45 § 1-7
(1893)
Prohibited the concealed carry of any pistol, revolver, Bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung-shot, sword cane, spear, metal knuckles, or any other kind of knife or instrument manufactured or sold for the purpose of defense. Also prohibited the carry of any pistol, revolver, Bowie knife, dirk knife, loaded cane, billy, metal knuckles, or any other offensive or defensive weapon. Also prohibited the sale of the weapons above to any minors.
1890 Okla. Stat. 496, ch. 25, art. 47, § 1-10
(1890)
It shall be unlawful for any person to point any pistol or any other deadly weapon whether loaded or not, at any other person or persons either in anger or otherwise.
1913 Ohio Acts 906, ch. 11, §§ 12966-12967 (vol. 103)
(1913)
Whoever sells of exhibits for sale, to a minor under sixteen years of age, a pistol manufactured of a metallic or hard substance, commonly known as a "toy pistol" or air gun, or any form of explosive gun,shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars or imprisoned not less than ten days nor more than twenty days, or both, and be liable in damages to any person injured by such sale. § 12967. Whoever sells, barters, furnishes or gives to a minor under the age of seventeen years, an air-gun, musket, rifle, shotgun, revolver, pistol, or other fire-arm, or ammunition therefor, or, being the owner or having charge or control thereof, knowingly permits it to be used by a minor under such age, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned in jail not more than thirty days, or both.
1923 N.D. Laws 380-83
(1923)
Ch. 266, § 2: Commiting Crime When Armed. If any person shall commit or attempt to commit a crime when armed with a pistol or revolver, and having no permit to carry the same, he shall be in addition to the punishment provided for the crime, be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten years.

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