Gun laws in the United Commonwealth

  

In the United Commonwealth, access to firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories are subject to control by law via a number of national statutes. The Constitution of the United Commonwealth protects the right of associations of workers to maintain and regulate militias and the right to bear arms, however, a number of laws exist regulating and limiting the manufacture, trade, possession, transfer, transport, destruction, and record keeping of firearms. These regulations are enforced by the Firearms Enforcement Commission, a branch of the Commissariat of Justice. In addition to national gun laws, state and local governments have the authority to introduce augmentary laws that further regulate firearms.

Although their legality is constitutionally enshrined, personal gun ownership in the United Commonwealth is subject to some of the strictest control measures in the world. Obtaining a firearm license requires community support and a high degree of training, making firearm ownership rare and personal carry even rarer. Private sales and trades outside the government supervised process are also prohibited. Law enforcement personnel are allowed to use firearms, although not all police officers carry firearms in daily activity. The use of firearms by law enforcement is limited to stopping dangerous crimes only and highly scrutinized.

History

Pre-revolution

In 1791 the United States Bill of Rights was ratified, which included the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment stated that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This amendment was largely inherited by the United Commonwealth with some additions, although the Federalist government of the United Commonwealth instituted a number of laws in the subsequent decades which restricted gun ownership. The Federal Firearms Act of 1873 was the first law of its kind, intended to hinder the possibility of future secessionist rebellion as had been the case in the War of Contingency. The law required that gun owners possess written permission from their respective states to possess rifles, handguns, and ammunition (smooth-bore shotguns and select other guns were exempt). However, as the thoroughness of this system was delegated to the discretion of individual states, enforcement varied. The Federal Firearms Act of 1895 further limited ownership, requiring a permit for handguns, banning the sale of guns to anyone under 18, and requiring records be kept of gun transactions.

The rise of civil discontent at the end of the century led to harsher legislation in an effort to curb the power of the socialist movement. The 1912 Public Safety Act made registration of firearms mandatory, banned the sale or transfer of firearms without a government license, and imposed a tax on all sales. In 1914 the Supreme Court ruled that Congress could regulate or ban the sale of certain weapons, such as sawed-off shotguns, as they had “no reasonable relationship to the efficiency of a well regulated militia”. Beginning in January 1916, a federal mandate dictated that firearm permits would require the recipient to “be of good civic character and standing”, which was used to restrict sales and confiscate guns from those of known or suspected socialist leanings.

Revolution and early Commonwealth

A people's armory in regulated by the workers' council of Joliet, Illinois, 1925

Prior to coming to power, the Continentalist Party protested Federalist gun control policy, and called for disobedience of gun bans. The Continentalists believed in the importance of arming the working class, for the purpose of protection against a tyrannical government and bourgeois elements, and in preparation for the revolution. In the 1910s the Continentalists would establish underground stockpiles in the country, bolstered by smuggling, theft, and homemade manufacture, which were used to arm militias. In 1916 Aeneas Warren published a proclamation calling for the people to resist gun confiscations, and upon coming to power in Illinois the following year, issued a decree stating his government’s intentions to “ensure the sovereign power of the working people…to arm the working people, to eliminate all possibility of the restoration of the power of the exploiters.” After a period of de facto unregulated gun ownership, in 1919 the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree ordering the surrender of unlicensed firearms by civilians, and the surrender or confiscation of firearms possessed in territories hostile to the Continentalist government, which coincided with the Continental invasion of the South.

In 1921, at the formation of the United Commonwealth of Continentalists States, the right of “associations of workers to maintain a well regulated militia” was constitutionally enshrined. The 1st National People’s Congress would pass the country’s first comprehensive gun legislation, requiring that “weapons existing solely or primarily for the purpose of war, criminality, or without reasonable use in a person’s defense” be surrendered; possession of most automatic weapons, machine guns, and explosives became punishable by imprisonment. All other firearms subsequently required registration and possession of a permit to own. Under Seamus Callahan, gun ownership was further curtailed by limiting the issuing of permits. After 1925, gun ownership became limited to members of the Continentalist Party, or those with authorization from local government offices. Gun ownership, the ability to vote, and other rights, were often taken away as a punishment for individuals suspected of Federalist sympathies, anti-Landonist activities, or disobedience, under the pretext of a legislative provision allowing limitation for criminals. These policies were especially widespread in the South in an effort to curb the Southern Insurrection.

During the 1920s, gun ownership among trade unions and communes was common. Local councils maintained the ability to raise militias for the purpose of local defense, policing, and volunteer work. However, by the end of the decade Callahan largely dismantled the power of the nation’s trade unions, placing regulations on their use of firearms without oversight. A greater emphasis was placed on training and preparedness regarding firearms as per the nation’s compulsory service, with the passing of a community-issued safety test becoming mandatory for gun ownership after 1930. During Great War I, the requirements for possession of firearms in border states were relaxed, and militias were raised to maintain order. By law all confiscated or abandoned weapons left by hostile forces were required to be handed over to the state. After the war, an outright ban on the transportation or sale of firearms without permission was issued in 1945.

Modern era

After the death of Seamus Callahan in 1947, the United Commonwealth relaxed some of its gun control laws. In 1950 legislation was passed requiring potential gun owners to receive the approval of their local community, to show they were of good standing and moral character. The majority of gun owners would receive the backing of their local Precinct Defense Committees prior to declaring intent to possess a firearm. Citizens who could demonstrate need were allowed to apply for a gun license; adults who demonstrated an interest in hunting by registering in a hunting union were allowed to buy hunting shotguns and certain rifles.

In the mid 20th century, leaders of the United Commonwealth such as Lysander Hughes and Rupert Gardner were sympathetic to increased firearm ownership, such as for veterans and service members. In 1956 Hughes would endorse legislation allowing the creation of national arsenals, or secure, central locations in which firearms are stored. These arsenals exist to this day and are regulated by Precinct Defense Committees, usually containing facilities for training and recreational activities; their primary purpose is to limit the ability for a distraught individual to rashly commit violence, while still allowing supervised or collective use of firearms. Although initially a small undertaking, arsenals would become nationwide and commonplace under Jackson Rothko, generally lowering the number of firearms in the home. As part of the country’s mandatory service for young adults, most people undergo some form of firearm training, which can contribute to an individual achieving a personal license later in life.

Regulation

Prohibited weapons

The following weapons are generally prohibited nationwide regardless of permit status, although some exceptions exist:

• Automatic firearms, or automatic firearms modified to semi-automatic firearms
• High-capacity loading devices
• Semi-automatic firearms that have been shortened without losing any functionality
• Hidden firearms that resemble an article of everyday use, or imitate an object of utility
• Grenade launchers and grenades, as well as most explosives or explosive material
• Butterfly knives, automatic knives, and switchblades more than 5 cm in length, as well as any and all throwing knives or stars
• Replica toy guns that could be reasonably confused as a real firearm
• Shock rods, stun guns, and tasers
• Brass knuckles
• Silencers

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met in order to possess and own firearms within the United Commonwealth:

• Be a citizen (or approved non-citizen national or lawful permanent resident) of the United Commonwealth. Foreign nationals who have been lawfully admitted to the United Commonwealth may also qualify if they:
  • Have been admitted to the country for lawful hunting or sporting purposes.
  • Are an official representative of a foreign government who is accredited to the United Commonwealth Government, or an official to a distinguished foreign visitor designated by the United Commonwealth.
  • Are part of the Government’s mission to an international organization having its headquarters in the United Commonwealth.
  • Are en route to or from another country to which the foreign national is accredited.
  • Are a member of a foreign law enforcement agency entering the United Commonwealth on official law enforcement business.
  • Have received a waiver from the Council of People's Commissars or the Commissariat for Justice, on the condition that the waiver is in the interest of justice and not to the detriment of public safety.
• Be at least 21 years of age, or at least 18 years of age if one has previously completed national service, is an active service member, or a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United Commonwealth.
• Be a member in good standing of the Continentalist Party, any approved mass organization, workers’ union, or firearms association.
• Apply for at least one of five approved uses of a firearm:
  • Primary self-defense - allows for the carrying of handguns for personal security in public.
  • Secondary self-defense - allows for the ownership of most approved firearms for the purpose of private defense or security.
  • Hunting - allows the possession of firearms approved for hunting purposes.
  • Sport shooting - allows the possession of firearms for the purpose of sport.
  • Collection - allows the possession of firearms with historical value, most firearms manufactured before 1835, and non-functioning weaponry.
• After a period of interview, receive the sponsorship of one’s local community, represented via a democratically-elected governing council, Precinct Defense Committee, or commune, corresponding to the place of their permanent residence.
• Complete a minimum of six weeks augmentary, non-compulsory community service, of which at least half must entail supervised firearm training, maintenance, and education. Completion of military training may also waive firearm training requirement.
• Complete and pass a supervised firearm safety test.
• Undergo and pass a national background check, a mental health and wellness check, and submit one’s information to the United Commonwealth Firearm Registry; provide proof of residency and identification.
• Complete a mandatory waiting period of 14 days from the purchase of any firearm before acquiring it.
• Swear or sign an oath pledging commitment to responsible ownership of a firearm and service to the United Commonwealth.

Additionally, to own and possess a firearm you explicitly must not meet any of the following criteria. Those subject to any of these prohibitions must immediately surrender any existing firearms and licenses.

• Has renounced one’s United Commonwealth nationality, or has had their citizenship revoked by the Government.
• Has been cited by the Government for behavior deemed anti-Landonist, insubordinate, of poor moral character, or antithetical to the values of the United Commonwealth.
• Is an unlawfully present individual in the United Commonwealth, or non-citizen resident whose residence has been revoked.
• Has been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United Commonwealth under dishonorable conditions.
• Has been convicted in any court of a felony offense, or has had their right to a firearm revoked by a court of law.
• Has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Is subject to a court order restraining the person from stalking, harassing, or threatening another person.
• Is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
• Has been adjudicated as intellectually or mentally disabled, of poor mental state, or has been involuntarily committed to any mental institution.
• Is a fugitive from justice

Members of nationally-recognized indigenous tribes have historically been exempt from some past firearm regulations and confiscations. In the modern United Commonwealth, Indigenous-Continentals may possess a number of traditional or historical weaponry unrestricted, and may waive certain requirements for firearm licenses. The United Commonwealth government devolves certain checks on firearm ownership to individual tribal governments, who may create their own local regulations for tribal members; most often membership in an indigenous tribe fulfills the community and union-affiliation requirements for firearm ownership.

See also

• Gun culture in the United Commonwealth
• Estimated number of civilian guns per capita by country
• List of countries by firearm-related death rate