On this day May 19, 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Firearm Owners Protection Act into law. The legislation was designed to clarify and revise key parts of the Gun Control Act of 1968. Its goal was to safeguard the rights of lawful gun owners while enhancing regulations that targeted illegal firearms trafficking.
One of the most notable aspects of the act was the prohibition on the civilian ownership of machine guns manufactured after the date of its enactment. It also limited federal inspections of licensed gun dealers and protected the transportation of firearms across state lines, provided the possession was legal at both the origin and destination.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act remains a major moment in US gun legislation history and continues to influence firearm policy debates today.
Fun fact: The machine gun ban in this law was introduced as an amendment just one day before the bill passed and remains one of its most debated provisions.
One of the most notable aspects of the act was the prohibition on the civilian ownership of machine guns manufactured after the date of its enactment. It also limited federal inspections of licensed gun dealers and protected the transportation of firearms across state lines, provided the possession was legal at both the origin and destination.
The Firearm Owners Protection Act remains a major moment in US gun legislation history and continues to influence firearm policy debates today.
Fun fact: The machine gun ban in this law was introduced as an amendment just one day before the bill passed and remains one of its most debated provisions.
