Laws and Ordinances Governing the City of Chicago 239 (Joseph E. Gary ed., 1866)
| dc.coverage.spatial | Illinois - Chicago | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-24T00:04:42Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-11-12T01:35:13Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-17T01:30:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1851 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Ch. 11, § 1: Prohibiting the keeping, sale, or giving away of gun powder or gun cotton "in any quantity" absent written permission of the authorities. Punishable by a fine of $25 per offense. | |
| dc.description.lawtext | Section 1. No person shall keep, sell or give away gunpowder or gun-cotton, in any quantity, without permission in writing, signed by the mayor and clerk, and sealed with the corporate seal, under a penalty of twenty-five dollars for every offense: Provided, Any person may keep for his own use not exceeding one pound of gunpowder or gun-cotton at one and the same time. Sec. 2. All applications for permits shall be made to the mayor. Not exceeding four permits shall be granted in any block. When the number of applications in any block shall at any time exceed the number to be granted, the requisite number shall be chosen by ballot by the common council. When issued, the clerk shall make an entry thereof in a register to be provided for the purpose, which entry shall state the name and place of business, and date of permit. Persons to whom permits may be issued shall not have or keep at their place of business, or elsewhere within the city, a greater quantity of gunpowder or gun-cotton than fifty pounds at one time, and the same shall be kept in tin canisters or cases containing not to exceed thirteen pounds each, and in a situation remote from fires or lighted lamps, candles or gas, from which they may be easily removed in case of fire. Nor shall any person sell or weigh any gunpowder or gun-cotton after the lighting of lamps in the evening, unless in sealed canisters or cases. It shall be the duty of every person to whom a permit shall be given, to keep a sign at the front door of his place of business, with the words "gunpowder" painted or printed thereon in large letters. A violation of any clause of this section shall subject the offender to a fine of not less than ten dollars nor exceeding one hundred dollars. Sec. 3. No person shall convey or carry any gunpowder or gun-cotton, (exceeding one pound in quantity,) through any street or alley in the city, in any cart, carriage, wagon, dray, wheelbarrow or otherwise, unless the said gunpowder or gun-cotton be secured in tight cases or kegs, well headed and hooped, and put into and entirely covered with a leather bag or case, sufficient to prevent such gunpowder or gun-cotton from being spilled or scattered, under a penalty of one hundred dollars. Sec. 4. No vessel laden in whole or in part with gunpowder or gun-cotton shall land at or make fast to any dock or wharf upon the Chicago river, or either branch thereof, between the south line of the school section and Chicago avenue, or discharge such gunpowder or gun-cotton within said limits. If any master or owner of any vessel, or other person, shall violate any provision of this section, he shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty dollars and not exceeding one hundred dollars. Sec. 5. The mayor shall have power to cause any vessel to be removed from the limits mentioned in the previous section to any place beyond the same, by a written order, which shall be executed by the harbor master or any member of the police. If any person shall neglect or refuse to obey such order, or shall resist any officer in the execution of the same, he shall be subject to a penalty of one hundred dollars. Sec. 6. All permissions granted under this chapter shall expire on the tenth day of June in each year. And no permit shall be granted to any retailer of intoxicating liquors or to any intemperate person. The collector shall receive, for the use of the city, five dollars for every permit which may be issued. Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the officers of the police and fire departments to report all violations of this chapter which may come to their knowledge, to the city attorney for prosecution. Sec. 8. One-half of the moneys collected for fines or penalties under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to the firemen's relief fund, and constitute a part of said fund, and the remaining half shall be expended by the fire marshal in the embellishment or improvement of the instruments of the fire department. | |
| dc.description.summary | The law strictly controls gunpowder and gun-cotton: anyone selling, keeping, or transporting it needs a mayor-issued permit, with limits on quantities, safe storage, and clear labeling. Transport and river landings are restricted, permits expire annually, and alcohol retailers or intemperate persons are barred. Violations incur fines, which partly fund the fire department and firemen's relief. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/3712 | |
| dc.relation.isreferencedbyGoogle | https://www.google.com/books/edition/Laws_and_Ordinances_Governing_the_City_o/a1zhNS3FRMwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA239&printsec=frontcover | |
| dc.subject | TRANSFER, MANUFACTURE & STORAGE OF GUNPOWDER | |
| dc.title | Laws and Ordinances Governing the City of Chicago 239 (Joseph E. Gary ed., 1866) |