there was a lot of Gun control in the old west too, like not being allowed to carry a gun in town.
To Provide against Carrying of Deadly Weapons" (effective April 19, 1881).
Section 1. It is hereby declared unlawful to carry in the hand or upon the person or otherwise any deadly weapon within the limits of said city of Tombstone, without first obtaining a permit in writing.
Section 2: This prohibition does not extend to persons immediately leaving or entering the city, who, with good faith, and within reasonable time are proceeding to deposit, or take from the place of deposit such deadly weapon.
Shop keepers, home owners etc were still allowed to have them, many were issued permits. The law mostly applied to “outsiders” however the people of tombstone were certainly armed as most household had a firearm then, despite the “carry” prohibition. They still got to strap up when riding out of town, or returning.
Tombstone had a gun store in city limits, required no ID, proof of character nor restrictions based on past charges and convictions literally anybody could walk in a buy a nice new colt or Winchester. A bunch of the Clanton’s and McLaury’s were shopping there immediately before the shootout.
Relative to “gun” control, most every law was against weapons in general, not specifically guns, very few laws specifically outlawed them.
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