Gun Control in Britain
TERRY L. TAYLOR, CO-EDITOR H-ALBION (TAYLORT@ALPHA.NSULA.EDU)
Mon, 5 Jun 1995 20:04:13 -0600
I am currently engaged in research on gun control in Britain. The
earliest legislation specifically licensing guns which I have found was
passed in 1870. However, the Crown has at least from the 12th century
onwards asserted the right to regulate the bearing of arms. Medieval law
established the right and duty of every subject to keep the peace and
to bear arms for that purpose as well as for the defense of the realm.
Over time the exercise of that right and duty was virtually limited to the
upper class. On many occasions the Crown has asserted the right to
confiscate the weapons of those who posed a threat (Roman Catholics,
Jacobites, etc.). In defense of public order, particularly with respect
to dueling, the Tudors and Stuarts issued a number of proclamations which
prohibited the carrying of certain kinds of arms such as pistols. I should
also note that I think that the game laws had the effect of discouraging the
lower class from owning guns. On the general question of the state's control
of arms the best introduction is still Sir Wm. Holdsworth's "History of English
Law." On the game laws see P.B. Munsche, "Gentlemen and Poachers" (CUP, 1981).
Fred Laurenzo, Dept. of History, University of Mississippi
(hsfel@sunset.backbone.olemiss.edu)