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.
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Cite: use the item’s identifier and provided links (Original Source and Duke reference) when available.

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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 103

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.
1869 Neb. Laws 53
(1869)
An Act To Incorporate Cities Of The First Class In The State Of Nebraska, § 47: Allowed the city council to license vendors of gunpowder.
Charter and Ordinances of the City of La Crosse 239–42 (1888)
(1881)
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep for sale, sell or give away any gunpowder, giant powder, nitro-glycerine, gun-cotton, dynamite or any other explosive substance of like nature or use without having first obtained a license therefor from the city of La Crosse in the manner hereinafter provided. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars for each offense.
1883 Wis. Sess. Laws 369-70
(1883)
To prevent and prohibit the manufacture, keeping or storing of nitro-glycerine, and to regulate the keeping and storing of gunpowder, gun cotton, burning fluids, coal oils and other dangerous explosive materials, in said city, and to provide for the inspection of illuminating oils and fluids.
1911 Wis. Sess. Laws 227–28
(1911)
§ 1. . . § 4393a-1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to manufacture gunpowder or black blasting powder in any quantity whatsoever within the corporate limits of any city or village or within one hundred rods of any occupied dwelling house or any church, schoolhouse, town hall, depot or other place in which people are accustomed to assemble. § 4393a-2. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation engaged in the manufacture of gunpowder or black blasting powder to store, or permit to be stored on the land or premises where gunpowder or black blasting powder is manufactured, any dynamite or explosive other than that manufactured at such gunpowder or black blasting powder manufacturing plant or within one mile of any plant where gunpowder of black blasting powder is manufactured.
1911 Wis. Sess. Laws 572
(1911)
§ 1728f. 1. No child under the age of eighteen years shall be employed . . . in or about establishments where nitroglycerine, dynamite, dualin, guncotton, gunpowder or other high or dangerous explosive is manufactured, compounded or stored[.]
1915 W. Va. Acts 404
(1915)
Reg. Sess., Municipal Charters, ch. 11, § 16, pt. 25: To regulate the keeping, handling and transportation of explosives and dangerous combustibles within the municipality; and to regulate or prohibit the use of fire crackers, sky rockets, toy pistols, air rifles or guns, within the said municipality.
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 121-22
(1881)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Port Townsend, ch. 2, § 21: The City of Port Townsend has power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy, and . . . to regulate the transportation and keeping of gunpowder, or other combustibles, and to provide or license magazines for the same[.]
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 76, An Act to Confer a City Govt. on New Tacoma, ch. 6, § 34, pt. 15
(1881)
Authorized New Tacoma to regulate transporting, storing, or selling gunpowder, giant powder, dynamite, nitroglycerine, or other combustibles without a license, as well as the carrying concealed deadly weapons, and the use of guns, pistols, firearms, firecrackers.
1881 Wash. Sess. Laws 93, An Act to Incorporate the City of Dayton, chap. 2, § 20.
(1881)
The city of Dayton shall have power to prevent injury or annoyance from anything dangerous, offensive, or unhealthy, and . . . to regulate the transportation, storing and keeping of gunpowder and other combustibles and to provide or license magazines for the same[.]
1867 Terr. of Wash. Stat. 116
(1867)
An Act to Incorporate the City of Vancouver, Ch. 1, § 32, pt. 16: To regulate the storage and sale of gunpowder, or other combustible material, and to provide, by all possible and proper means, against danger or risk of damage by fire arising from carelessness, negligence or otherwise.
1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 965, 966-67
(1909)
Ch. 249, Subchapter 7-Crimes against Public Health and Safety, §§ 252 & 254: Every person who shall make or keep any explosive or combustible substance in any city or village, or carry it through the streets thereof in a quantity, or manner prohibited by law, or by ordinance of such municipality; and every person who, by careless, negligent or unauthorized use or management of any such explosive or combustible substance, shall injure or cause injury to the person or property of another, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.Every person who shall put up for sale, or who shall deliver to any warehouseman, dock, depot, or common carrier any package, cask or can containing benzine, gasoline, naptha, nitroglycerine, dynamite, powder or other explosive or combustible substance, without having printed thereon in a conspicuous place in large letters the word "Explosive," shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."
1896 Wash. Rev. Stat. 686, ch. 260, § 3910, pt. 5
(1896)
To carry on the business of manufacturing gun powder, nitroglycerine or other highly explosive substance, or mixing or grinding the materials therefor, in any building within fifty rods of any valuable building, erected at the time such business may be commenced.
1909 Wash. Sess. Laws 929, 931-33
(1909)
Ch. 249, Subchapter 5-Crimes against the Person, §§ 142 & 151: Every person who shall fight or participate in, as second or assistant, any duel within this state, in which any person is killed, or who, by previous appointment made within this state, shall fight or participate in, as second or assistant, any duel out of the state, in which any person is killed, shall be guilty of murder in the second degree; and, in the latter case, may be proceeded against in any county in this state...Every person who shall make or keep gun powder, or any other explosive substance, in a city or village, in any quantity or manner prohibited by law or by ordinance of such municipality, if an explosion thereof shall occur whereby the death of a human being is occasioned, shall be guilty of manslaughter."
1879-80 Va. Acts 104
(1879)
Ch. 5, § 4, pt. 19: To direct the location of all buildings for storing gun-powder or other combustible substances; to regulate the sale and use of gunpowder, fire-crackers, fire-works, kerosene oil, nitroglycerine . . . the discharge of firearms
1900 Vt. Acts and Resolves 145
(1900)
No. 162, § 42: Said board of fire wardens may inspect the manner of manufacturing and keeping gun powder, lime, ashes, matches, lights, fireworks or combustibles[.]
Act of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Village of Northfield 19-20 (1984)
(1894)
Provided that to store powder or gun-cotton within the village, individuals must obtain and record a Trustee-approved license, display a designated warning sign, permit inspections, and adhere to strict quantity limits and metal container rules.
1865 Vt. Acts & Resolves 213
(1865)
No. 141, § 10: Authorizing Village of Rutland to appoint fire wardens to inspect the manufacture and keeping of gun powder, lime, ashes, matches, lights, fireworks, and other combustibles; authorized said fire wardens to order the persons mfring or keeping the gun powder to keep in a specified manner if they deem the manufacture or keeping unsafe.
Revised Ordinances and Resolutions of the City Council of Salt Lake City 161–62 (1875)
(1875)
Ch. 48, § 1: Be it ordained, by the City Council of Salt Lake City, that it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to keep, sell or give away, gunpowder, gun-cotton, or nitro-glycerine, in any quantity without permission of the City Council; Provided, any person may keep, for his own use, not exceeding five pounds of gun powder, one pound of gun cotton, or one ounce of nitro-glycerine.
1901 Utah Laws 76
(1901)
That every person who knowingly leave with or delivers to another, or to any express or railway company or other common carrier, or to any warehouse or storehouse any package containing nitro-glycerine, dynamite, guncotton, gunpowder, or other highly explosive compound, or any benzine [sic], gasoline, phosphorus, or other highly inflammable substance or any vitriol, . . . or other dangerous acid . . . to be handled, stored, shipped or transported, without plainly marking and indicating on such package the name and nature of the contents thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and punishable by a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months.
1863–64 Utah Terr. Acts 47
(1864)
To direct or prohibit the location and management of houses for the storing of gunpowder, tar, pitch, resin or other combustible and dangerous materials within the city, and to regulate the conveying of gunpowder.
Digest of the Charters and Ordinances of the City of Memphis 52 (William H. Bridges ed., 1867)
(1867)
Nuisance and Abatement Thereof, It is a public nuisance, § 5: To carry on the business of manufacturing gun-powder or of mixing or grinding the materials therefor, in any building within eighty rods of any valuable building erected at the time such business may be commenced.
Ordinances of the City Council of Memphis ch.14, art. 3, § 1 (1867)
(1867)
Offenses Affecting Public Safety: Regulated the manufacture, transportation and storage of gunpowder
The General Ordinances of the City of Charleston, South Carolina 199–200 (1895)
(1815)
ch. 15, §§ 566-570: Sec. 566.[1] It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to carry gunpowder without a secure and proper covering, in any wagon, cart, dray, or otherwise, through the streets, lanes, or on the wharves of this City, and any person or persons so offending, shall forfeit, for every such offence, the sum of fifty dollars. Sec. 567.[2] It shall not be lawful for any person or persons to sell any gunpowder, which may at the time be within the City of Charleston, in any quantity, without having first obtained a license to keep and sell gunpowder, the said license to be issued by the Clerk of Council, who shall receive, for the use of the City, from the person obtaining the license, the sum of one dollar for each license so issued, and every such license shall be in force for one year from the date thereof, unless previously annulled by the City Council, and no longer; and every person or persons offending herein shall forfeit and pay for the said offence the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 568.[3] It shall not be lawful for any merchant, factor, retailer, or dealer in gunpowder, or any person or persons whomsoever, to retain, have, or keep in his, her, or their possession, any quantity of gunpowder exceeding one pound in weight, unless the same shall be well secured in a tin canister or canisters, which said canisters shall be plainly marked or labelled on the outside thereof, with the word "Gunpowder," and shall be deposited and kept on the right side of the principal door or entrance to the store, shop, or premises wherein the same may be; and any person or persons offending against any of the provisions of this section, shall forfeit and pay, for every such offence, the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 569.[4] No merchant, factor, retailer, or dealer in gunpowder, or any person or persons whomsoever, within this City, shall retain, keep, or have, in his, her or their possession, at any one time, a greater quantity of gunpowder, than twenty-five pounds weight; and, on information given to the Mayor, or the same coming by any means, to his knowledge, of a greater quantity than twenty-five pounds weight, in the possession of, or within the enclosure or enclosures of any person or persons whomsoever, the Mayor is hereby required and directed to prosecute such person or persons so offending, in any court of competent jurisdiction, when, on conviction of the same, the party shall be fined in the sum of one hundred dollars. Sec. 570.[5] It shall not be lawful to establish or keep within the limits of the City, any magazine, or place for the storage of gunpowder, nor to keep any gunpowder in any place within the said limits, excepting in small quantities, as herein provided, under a penalty or fine not exceeding five hundred dollars
The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Providence, Together with the Acts of the General Assembly Relating to the City 89-96 (1854)
(1821)
Strictly regulated the possession, sale, storage, and transportation of gunpowder to reduce fire and explosion risks. Individuals generally could not possess more than five pounds unless authorized, and sellers required licenses. The law established specific storage containers, transportation methods, designated loading areas, and warning signs. Firewards could inspect premises, seize illegally stored gunpowder, and obtain warrants to search suspected locations. Violations could result in fines of $20–$500 and forfeiture of gunpowder. People injured by illegally stored or transported gunpowder could also seek damages from those responsible.
1902 R.I. Pub. Laws 67
(1902)
An Act in addition to chapter 40 of the General Laws, Entitled "Of the Town Council," § 1: Town councils and city councils may from time to time make and ordain all ordinances and regulations for their respective towns, not repugnant to law, which they may deem necessary for the safety of their inhabitants from the manufacture, storage, keeping, having in possession, transportation, sale, or use of gunpowder, gun-cotton, dynamite, nitro-glycerine, nitro-gelatine, lyddite, chlorate of potash, picric acid, sodium calcium carbide, acetylene gas, gasoline gas, and any and all other explosives and explosive chemicals; and may prohibit the manufacture, storage, keeping having in possession, transportation , sale , or use by any and all persons or persons of any or all said substances and gases in their respective towns, unless a license for the same shall be first obtained from the town council or board of aldermen, which license shall be for the term of one years from the date thereof unless sooner revoked by order of said town council or board of aldermen.
1762 R.I. Pub. Laws 132
(1762)
An Act of June 1762: That every person who shall import gunpowder into the town of Newport aforesaid shall cause the same to be conveyed immediately to the powder house at the North Easterly part of town, before the vessel in which the said Powder shall be imported, be brought to any Wharf; upon the penalty of paying into the Town-Treasury of the said Town of Newport, a Fine of Ten Shillings Lawful Money, for every cask which shall not be conveyed to the Powder House as aforesaid
By-Laws and Ordinances of the City of Pittsburgh 73 (1828)
(1816)
Ch. 2, §§ 1-3 : That no shop-keeper or other person or persons, shall keep, at the same time, in any house, shop, cellar or warehouse, or other apartment, or in any boat within the said city, more than thirty pounds weight of gun-powder. § 2. That the aforesaid quantity of gun-powder allowed to be kept within the city, shall be deposited in a place by itself, separate from other goods and commodities, and shall be secured by lock and key, or in some other safe manner. § 3. That no person shall carry or convey in any dray, cart, wagon or other carriage, any greater quantity of gun-powder than thirty pounds weight, at any one time, in or through the city, without securing the same in a good bag or bags, or within a canvas or other safe covering completely around the said powder, sufficient to prevent the same from scattering from the said carriage.
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.
1868 Pa. Laws 321, No. 288, § 2, pt. 6.
(1868)
To regulate, by ordinances . . . the storage, sale of gun powder, fire works and other inflammable or dangerous articles, and the location of refineries.
1919 Pa. Laws 710, No. 286, § 1
(1919)
The department may adopt and enforce rules and regulations governing the having, using, storage, sale and keeping of gasoline, naptha, kerosene, or other substance of like character, blasting powder, gun powder, dynamite, or any other inflammable or combustible chemical products or substances or materials. The department may also adopt and enforce rules and regulations requiring the placing of fire extinguishers in buildings.
Ordinances of the Borough of Shamokin, Pa. 71-72 (1896)
(1896)
This section regulates the transportation of gunpowder, blasting powder, and other explosives through borough streets. Quantities greater than 25 pounds must be securely covered with canvas to prevent spilling or accidental ignition from sparks. Anyone violating the rule may have the explosives forfeited and, upon conviction, must pay a fine of $1 to $10.
Brightly's Annual Digest for 1873 to 1878, Annual Digest of the Laws of Pennsylvania, at 1835 Common Carriers, § 1-2 (1878)
(1874)
If any person shall knowingly deliver, or cause to be delivered to any canal, railroad, steamboat or other transportation company, or to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transportation, any nitro-glycerine, dualin, dynamite, gunpowder, mining or blasting powder, gun-cotton, phosphorus, or other explosive material adapted for blasting, or for any other purpose for which the articles before mentioned, or any of them, may be used, under any false or deceptive invoice or description, or without informing such person, firm or corporation, in writing, at or before the time when such delivery is made, of the true nature of such, and without having the keg, barrel, can or package containing the same plainly marked with the name of the explosive material therein contained, together with the word "dangerous" article, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
A Digest of Acts of Assembly, Relating to the Incorporated District of the Northern Liberties; and of the Ordinances for the Government of the District, at 101-02, Gun Cotton, § 1 (1847)
(1847)
§That no gun-cotton shall be introduced in Philadelphia, nor placed in storage therein, in greater bulk or quantity in any one place, than is permitted by existing laws, with regard to gunpowder; and that all the fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed by an act entitled "An act for securing the city of Philadelphia, and the neighborhood thereof, from damage by gunpowder,"
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.
11 Stat. at Large of Pa. 209, ch. 1059, §§ 1-2 (1782)
(1783)
all gun-powder brought into the port of Philadelphia should be deposited in a certain powder house therein described, under the penalty of ten pounds for every offense: And Whereas another powder house or magazine hath been erected in the said city in the public square on the south side of Vine street, between the Sixth and Seventh streets from Delaware at the public expense
A Digest of the Acts of Assembly, and the Ordinances, of the Commissioners and Inhabitants of the Kensington District of the Northern Liberties: for the Government of that District, at 45-47, Gunpowder § 2 (1832)
(1787)
No person shall keep in any house, store, shop, cellar or other place within the city of Philadelphia, nor the country adjacent, within two miles of the said city, any greater quantity of gunpowder, at one time, than thirty pounds weight thereof, under the penalty of forfeiture of the whole quantity so over and above stored or kept, together with the sum of twenty pounds for every such offense
1903 Or. Special Laws 31, An Act to Incorporate the City of Portland, ch. 3,§ art. 4, § 73, pt. 36-38
(1903)
To regulate or prevent the storage, manufacture, and sale of dangerous, explosive, or combustible materials, including gunpowder, dynamite, giant powder, calcium carbide, nitro-glycerine, oil, and gas, and to provide for the inspection of the same; to prevent, by all proper means, all risks of injury or damage by fire arising from negligence, or otherwise[.]
Charter of the City of Portland, Street and Fire Department Laws, Ordinances, Regulations &C., at 225-27, To Regulate The Storage And Sale Of Gunpowder, And Other Explosive Material, §§ 1-10 (1872)
(1872)
Regulated the keeping and sale of gunpowder

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