An Ordinance Concerning Slaves, and Free Negroes and Mulattos, § 1, in Arkansas Gazette, Jan. 12, 1836, at 1
Abstract
That no slave or free negro or mulatto whatsoever shall keep or carry, within the limits of said City, any gun, pistol or other fire arm of any kind whatsoever, or any knife, dirk, club or any weapon of offence or defence whatsoever, or any powder, balls or shot; and that any and every such weapon, and any and all such ammunition found in the possession or custody of any negro or mulatto, may be seized by any person,
Summary
This ordinance prohibits enslaved and free Black individuals in the city from possessing or carrying any weapons or ammunition without a license, with limited exceptions allowing licensed free Black householders to keep a single firearm. Any weapons found can be seized and forfeited to the person who takes them, and authorities are required to arrest violators and bring them before the court. Those convicted face severe punishment, including up to thirty lashes unless a monetary payment is made, along with a small fee required to obtain a license where permitted.
Law Text
SEC. 1. Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Little Rock, That no slave or free negro or mulatto whatsoever shall keep or carry, within the limits of said City, any gun, rifle, pistol, or fire-arms of any kind whatsoever, or any knife, dirk, club or any weapon of offence or defence whatsoever, without having a license so to do; and any and every such weapon, and any and all such ammunition found in the possession or custody of any negro or mulatto, may be seized by any person, and upon motion before the City Court of said City, proof being made that the weapon or ammunition was so seized as aforesaid, it shall be forfeited to the seizor, and the person seized shall be punished; and it shall be the duty of the City Constable, when it shall come to his knowledge that any such weapon or ammunition is in the possession of a negro or mulatto, to seize the same, and to take the said negro or mulatto in whose possession it is found before the City Court in session, and if not, before some Justice of the Peace of said City, and upon conviction of said offence the said negro or mulatto shall receive thirty lashes on his or her bare back, unless the same be paid for; *provided however,* that any free negro or mulatto who is a housekeeper within said City, may be allowed to keep one rifle or shot gun, upon their obtaining a license for that purpose from the City Court, which license may be granted on the application of such free negro or mulatto as in this ordinance hereinafter provided, and by paying to the City Treasurer the sum of one dollar for said license.
Description
Categories
ENSLAVED PERSONS & OTHER MINORITIES