Introduction
The American police have undergone a massive change in what they carry on the job over the years. This change has been driven by several factors, including changes in the law, their safety, the proliferation of firearms, and the evolution of policing techniques (Hahn et al., 2005). The earliest police departments were largely unarmed and relied on physical force to control riots or apprehend criminals. Over time, however, law enforcement agencies began to arm their officers and adopt more sophisticated techniques for apprehending criminals. This essay will research the history of guns, ammo, and non-lethal weapons in police departments.
The Evolution of Gun Laws in America
The history of gun laws in America is a long and complex one. The earliest laws in America were designed to protect the colonists’ property and limited the number of firearms individuals could own (Hahn et al., 2005). Over time, gun laws in America have been amended several times to reflect the changing needs of law enforcement. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has played a significant role in lobbying for gun law changes and has successfully obtained many pro-gun legislation amendments. Guns and Ammo in Police departments have been around for centuries.
In the 1700s, law enforcement officers used pistols as the most common weapon. By 1800, revolvers had become the most popular choice. In the 1900s, shotguns became common due to their power and accuracy. In 1915, machine guns were first used by law enforcement officers in the United States during a shootout on a train. Since then, they have become a mainstay of law enforcement officers arsenals. In the 1970s, pistols became the most popular weapon used by police officers. By the 1990s, rifles had become the most popular choice. In the 2000s, handguns became the most popular weapon used by police officers. Guns and Ammo in Police departments are an essential part of law enforcement. They provide officers with the ability to protect themselves and apprehend criminals. They also help officers maintain public safety. This is a research paper on the evolution of guns and ammo from the 1700s.
The role played by the NRA in the History of Guns, Ammos, and Non-Lethal by the U.S. Police Departments.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has been a driving force in the history of guns, ammo, and non-lethal force in police departments in the United States. The NRA has been a lobbying organization since its founding in 1871 and has played a significant role in developing firearms, ammo, and non-lethal force technology (Sant, 2020). The NRA’s lobbying efforts have helped to shape U. S. gun laws and regulations, and their involvement in the development of non-lethal force technology has helped to ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools necessary to safely and effectively deal with violent confrontations.
The NRA has been instrumental in helping police departments in the U.S. to use guns, ammo, and non-lethal force more efficiently and effectively. The NRA has provided training and support to police departments in developing firearms, ammo, and non-lethal force technology (Sant, 2020). In the 1900s, in collaboration with the U.S. military, the NRA helped develop firearms and ammo designed explicitly for use by law enforcement officers. This led to the development of semi-automatic handguns and shotguns, now standard issue firearms for law enforcement officers in the United States.
The NRA also helped develop non-lethal weapon technologies such as stun guns and pepper spray in 2000. This has helped ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools to deal with violent confrontations safely and effectively (Sant, 2020). Also, in the early 2000s, the NRA collaborated with the Department of Defence to develop a program that trains law enforcement officers on how to use firearms and non-lethal force safely and effectively. This has helped ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped with relevant skills when handling danger (Sant, 2020). In the last decade, from 2010 to 2020, the NRA has also worked with law enforcement agencies to improve how firearms are used.
Period from 1700s to 1800s
In the 1700s and 1800s, the use of guns and ammo by police departments was governed by several laws in the U.S. These laws vary from state to state and from period to time (Brodeur & Walsh, 2021). For example, in the 1700s, law enforcement officers used pistols as the most common weapon. By 1800, revolvers had become the most popular choice. In the 1800s, gun laws in the U.S. were based on British law. This meant that handguns were not legal in most states at this time. In 1857, the U.S. Congress passed the Gun Control Act, which made it illegal for civilians to own handguns. This law remained in place until 1934.
Another law in this period that brought guns and ammo into use by police departments was the Personal Liberty Act of 1871. This law allowed officers to carry guns and ammo publicly without showing a reason. This change helped to increase the safety of law enforcement officers and helped to reduce crime. Although there were instances of the use of guns in this period by police departments, the first guns were primarily used by the military. It was not until the late 1800s that law enforcement began to arm their officers (Brodeur & Walsh, 2021). The first police departments in America were largely unarmed and relied on physical force to control riots or apprehend criminals. At this time, the use of firearms was not seen as a viable option for law enforcement due to the high risk of accidental injury or death.
Period from 1800s to 1960s
Between 1800 and 1960, the use of guns and ammunition by police departments in the United States varied widely. In the country’s early years, there were no formal laws governing the use of firearms by law enforcement officers, so departments typically relied on their traditions and practices (Potter, 2022). However, as firearms became increasingly common, departments began to adopt more standardized procedures for arming and training personnel. In 1893, the New York City police department became the first in America to adopt a modern pistol grip revolver as its standard sidearm. The popularity of this weapon allowed other police departments around the country to follow suit, and by 1900, pistols were the most commonly used firearm by police officers (Potter, 2022). However, during the late 1800s and early 1900s, police departments in the United States were generally small and poorly funded. As a result, personnel typically consisted of only a few officers primarily responsible for maintaining order on street corners and in public places. Consequently, firearms were rarely used in law enforcement activities.
In the early 1900s, however, the use of firearms by police departments began to increase as departments began to grow more extensive and more professional. In 1903, for example, the Chicago Police Department became the first department in the United States to adopt a standardized firearms training program. As a result, firearms became more commonly used in law enforcement activities (Potter, 2022). During the early 1900s, departmental policies governing firearms also began to change. In 1902, for example, the Los Angeles Police Department adopted a policy prohibiting the use of firearms against peaceful demonstrators. This policy was later amended to allow the use of firearms in cases of self-defense or when necessary to prevent the escape of a dangerous criminal. In the 1920s and 1930s, firearms became increasingly common in law enforcement activities. This was mainly due to the proliferation of police departments throughout the United States and the increasing use of firearms in law enforcement training programs.
During the 1920s, for example, the Los Angeles Police Department began using firearms in a wide range of law enforcement activities, including officer safety training and target practice. In the 1930s, firearms became even more common in law enforcement activities (Potter, 2022). This was primarily due to the Great Depression, which made it difficult for police departments to obtain funds for training programs and firearms. As a result, many police departments began to use firearms in routine law enforcement activities. For example, the Chicago Police Department used firearms to detain criminals and control riots. The period after World War 1 saw a gradual decline in the use of firearms by law enforcement officials (Brodeur & Walsh, 2021). This was largely due to changes in departmental policies and the introduction of new weapons technologies. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department discontinued the use of firearms in officer safety training programs in the early 1960s.
Period from 1960s to 2010
In 1960, the first gun was purchased by a police department in American history. The purchase was made by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). LAPD received their Smith & Wesson Model 39 handgun from the United States Department of Justice. At the time, LAPD was one of the largest police departments in America, with over 1,000 officers (Brodeur & Walsh, 2021). In the early 1990s, gun ownership by law enforcement agencies began to increase. This was partly due to the increased crime rate and the need for law enforcement personnel to carry firearms to protect themselves and their communities. In 1993, the FBI reported that the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty had reached its highest level since 1948. As a result, more agencies began to purchase firearms for their personnel.
In 1986 the Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (LEOPA) was passed, which allowed police officers to carry firearms and ammo while on duty; this law was put in place in response to the rise of the black power movement (Potter, 2022). In 2010, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported that the total number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty had decreased for the third consecutive year. This decrease was due, in part, to the increased use of firearms by law enforcement personnel. In 2010, firearms were used in 61% of all line-of-duty fatalities compared to just 38% in 1993 (Brodeur & Walsh, 2021). A law implemented in this period is that all firearms purchased by law enforcement must be registered with the federal government. This law was enacted in 1994 in response to the high number of firearms used by law enforcement personnel. Under this law, all firearms purchased from a federally licensed dealer must be registered with the FBI. This information is kept confidential and is only used for statistical purposes. In 2013, the BJS reported that firearms were used in 44% of all line-of-duty fatalities. This was the lowest rate since 1993 (Potter, 2022). The decrease in firearms use may be due to the increased use of other forms of law enforcement, such as Tasers, in lieu of firearms.
The Police Officers Safety Act of 2004 was enacted in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This act established a federal program that provided financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies for firearms training and purchases. The act also prohibited local governments from enacting laws that would restrict law enforcement officials’ possession or use of firearms. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was enacted in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001(Brook & King, 2007). This act created the Department of Homeland Security and established the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the national police force. The act also authorized law enforcement agencies to purchase firearms and ammunition. The period between 1960 and 2010 saw a decrease in the use of firearms by law enforcement personnel and a decrease in the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. This decrease was likely due to the increased use of other forms of law enforcement, such as Tasers. Implementing a law in 1994 requiring all firearms purchased by law enforcement to be registered with the federal government may have played a role in this decrease. The BJS will continue to monitor firearms used by law enforcement and report on their findings.
Period 2010 to 2022
In the last decade or so, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of guns and ammo by police departments all over the United States. This trend can be traced back to several factors, but most notable is the rise of the “war on drugs” and the resulting militarization of law enforcement (Reaves, 2015). In addition, certain state legislatures have enacted laws that make it easier for police to use firearms and ammo. In 2012 there was the passage of the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) (Shwartz & Peters, 2018). It allowed for the arming of law enforcement agencies with military-grade weapons and ammo; this law was put in place in response to the Boston Marathon bombings.
There was another law that was passed in 2013, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which created a grant program that provided funds to states for the purchase of firearms and ammo for law enforcement officers; this law was put in place response to the rise of the #MeToo movement (Sacco, 2019). Since 2010, there has been a steady increase in the number of police departments that are armed with firearms and ammo. As of 2018, an estimated 1,829 departments employed some form of armed personnel (Reaves, 2015). Different departments between 2010 to 2022 have different policies on firearms and ammo. For example, some departments do not carry firearms or ammo, while others only carry a limited amount. Some departments have a policy of only carrying firearms during active riots or chaos.
Introduction into Non-Lethal
The history of non-lethal weapons in police departments in the United States can be traced back to the early 1990s (Davison, 2006). At that time, there was a growing concern over the increasing number of police shootings. In response, police departments began to look for ways to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that resulted from encounters with law enforcement. One of the first methods police departments used to reduce the number of injuries and deaths was to equip their officers with pepper spray. This strategy proved successful, as it reduced the number of times officers had to use firearms. However, pepper spray is only effective when used in close-range confrontations.
Consequently, police departments began to explore other options for using non-lethal weapons. Police started using Pepper spray in 1993 (Davison, 2006). Pepper spray is a chemical that causes temporary blindness and can cause respiratory problems in high concentrations. The LAPD first used it as a way to control crowds and riots.
One of the most popular types of non-lethal weapons is the Taser which police departments started using in 1n the same year, 1993 (Davison, 2006). The Taser was initially developed as a civilian police tool, but it soon became popular among law enforcement agencies. The Taser is a handheld device that fires electric shocks, which can incapacitate a person. The Taser has been used by police departments not only in the U.S. but also around the world to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that result from encounters with law enforcement. In particular, the Taser has successfully reduced the number of times officers have to use firearms.
Conclusion
The history of guns and ammo used in police departments in the U.S. dates back to the early 1800s. Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in the number of police departments that are armed with firearms and ammo. The main reasons for this increase are the events that have taken place in the U.S., such as the Boston Marathon bombings and the #MeToo movement. Among other laws passed over the decades, VAWA is a law that was passed in 2013 that created a grant program that provided funds to states for the purchase of firearms and ammo for law enforcement officers. Also, as it has been established, guns and ammo have been of so much help in the U.S. to the police departments during different periods of chaos like the current ‘War on Drugs. It has also been established that the National Rifle Association has helped in the evolution of the use of guns and ammo by police departments throughout history. The introduction of non-lethal in 1993 to be used by police departments has also been seen as an additional compliment to the increase in firearms and ammo. All these methods used by police departments are to ensure their safety and protect and serve the citizens of the U.S.
References
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Reaves, B. A. (2015). Local police departments, 2013–equipment and technology. U.S. Department of Justice. https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/lpd13et.pdf
Sacco, L. N. (2019). The violence against women act (VAWA): historical overview, funding, and reauthorization (Vol. 42). Congressional Research Service.
Sant, W. V. (2020, October 6). The NRA’s unshakable support for police. The Trace. https://www.thetrace.org/2020/07/the-nras-unshakable-support-for-police/
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