“Sec. 555. Amount of gunpowder allowed to be kept—Application to the mayor for permission to keep same—Duty of chief engineer of fire department—Penalty—Proviso.

No person shall keep, in any house or store, any quantity of gunpowder exceeding two kegs or vessels thereof, of the weight of twenty-five pounds each, and before such person shall have this privilege, he shall make an application, in writing, to the mayor, for permission to do so, to be approved by the chief engineer of the fire department. The chief engineer shall keep a list of all permits granted, and, for any violation of this section, such person shall pay a fine of twenty dollars, one-half of which shall go to the informer; and the person offending shall not be permitted to keep the said amount of powder thereafter without the consent of the councils; provided, that nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prevent any person from keeping, in any one house, as much as two pounds of powder for such private purposes as may be proper. Ord. 1894.

Sec. 556. How powder to be transported—Penalty.

No person shall carry, in any dray, or other carriage, or in any other manner, any quantity of gunpowder exceeding two pounds, in or through the city, unless the same shall be secured in good bags, and covered with a sail or other cloth, under the penalty of five dollars for every barrel, half barrel, cask, or keg so carried; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent any person or company from transporting (directly, and without stopping or switching) powder through the city in sealed cars. One-half of all fines and penalties incurred under this ordinance shall go to the informer and the other half to the city. Ord. 1894.

Sec. 557. Arrival of powder to be reported.

All arrivals of powder in the city shall be reported to the chief of the fire department by the powder inspector[.] Ord. 1894.”

1894, Norfolk, VA, General Ordinances, Chapter 61—Powder, §§ 555-557

H. N. Poulson and R. E. Steed, eds., The Ordinances of the City of Norfolk, VA (Date of Enactments Including May 29th, 1902) With the Amended Charter, Acts of Assembly Relating to City Government and an Appendix (Norfolk, VA: Burke & Gregory, 1902), 260. General Ordinances, Chapter 61—Powder, §§ 555-557. Ord. 1894.

        “Sec. 1. No person or persons, shall keep in any store, vault, cellar, building or buildings, within the limits of said city, without special permission from the City Council, a greater quantity of gunpowder at any one time than fifty pounds, (which shall be secured in tin canisters or wooden kegs,) nor a greater quantity of dynamite or any other explosive not named, than five pounds, (which shall be well secured in tin canisters,) nor any nitro-glycerine whatever, under a penalty of not less than five nor more than twenty dollars for each offense; and every day such violation of this ordinance may continue or be persisted in shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
        Sec. 2. Any person or persons keeping gunpowder, dynamite or any other explosive not named herein, in any store, vault, cellar, building or buildings, said explosives kept for sale, shall have it kept, if gunpowder, in a tin canister or wooden keg, and if dynamite or other explosive, not named herein, in a tin canister, near one of the front doors, and a sign placed thereon denoting its contents. Any person or persons failing to comply with the provisions of this section shall forfeit ten dollars to the use of the said City of Annapolis, to be collected as small debts are, before a Justice of the Peace in the name of the Mayor, Counselor and Aldermen of the City of Annapolis.
        Sec. 3. The Mayor or any Justice of the Peace is hereby authorized, as often as he shall be informed upon oath of probable cause to suspect any person or persons of concealing or keeping within the corporate limits of the said city of Annapolis, any quantity of gunpowder over the above fifty pounds, or any quantity of dynamite or other explosive not named herein over and above five pounds, or any quantity of nitro-glycerine, to issue a search warrant to examine into the truth of such allegation or suspicion, and search any place whatever therin.”

1897, MD, The Code of the City of Annapolis, Article 18—Gunpowder and Explosives, §§ 1-3

The Code of the City of Annapolis, By the Counselor: Authorized by Order of the Corporation of the City of Annapolis, Passed October 11, 1897, and Adopted as the Laws of the City by an Ordinance Passed December 13, 1897—Also—the Charter of the City of Annapolis, the Standing Orders of the Corporation, and Certain Ordinances Not Part of the Code (Annapolis, MD: Evening Capital Print, 1897), 45-46. Article 18—Gunpowder and Explosives, §§ 1-3. (Undated).

“Sec. 7. If any person shall, without permission of the Board of Alderman, store or keep, or permit to be stored or kept in any building or on any lot in Jersey City, any rosin oil, coal oil, kerosene oil, or other explosive or combustible liquid in a greater quantity than five barrels; or any gunpowder in a greater quantity than twelve and one-half pounds, or any quantity of gunpowder in any vessel which is not wholly of stone or metal, such person shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a fine of fifty dollars for each offense; and if, within twenty-four hours after conviction, such liquid or gunpowder be not removed or stored in accordance with this ordinance, a further penalty of ten dollars shall be incurred for every twenty-four hours.
Sec. 8. If any person shall store, use or have in his possession any nitro-glycerine, without permission from the Board of Alderman, such person shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a fine of fifty dollars for each offense, and a further penalty of ten dollars for every twenty-four hours that said nitro-glycerine shall remain in his possession or care after conviction.”

1871, NJ, An Ordinance Declaring Nuisances and Providing for their Abatement

Ordinances of Jersey City, Passed by the Board of Aldermen Since May 1, 1871, Under the Act Entitled “An Act to Re-organize the Local Government of Jersey City,” Passed March 31, 1871, and the Supplements Thereto (New York, NY: Kennard & Hay, 1874), 59-62. Passed 15 Aug., 1871.

“Sec. 323. Keeping gunpowder unlawfully.—A person who makes, or keeps, gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, or any other explosive or combustible material, within a city or village, or carries such materials through the streets thereof, in a quantity or manner prohibited by law, or by ordinance of the city or village, is guilty of a misdemeanor. And a person who, by the careless, negligent or unauthorized use or management of gunpowder or other explosive substance, injures, or occasions the injury of, the person or property of another, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year.”

1885, MN, The Penal Code of the State of Minnesota, § 323 Keeping gunpowder unlawfully

The Penal Code of the State of Minnesota, To Take Effect January 1, A.D. 1886 (St. Paul, MN: The Pioneer Press Company, 1885), 123-124. Title 12, Of Crimes Against the Public Health and Safety, § 323 Keeping gunpowder unlawfully. Undated.

“Sec. 375 . Discharging fire-arms.—Any person who shall discharge a gun, pistol, or other fire-arm within the corporate limits of this city, unless in self-defense, or in the execution of the law, or at a military parade by order of the proper officer, without the express permission of the Mayor, must, on conviction, be fined not exceeding twenty-five dollars.

Sec. 376. Shooting gravel-shooter, or sling-shot.—Any person who shall shoot gravel or other substance out of or with a gravel-shooter, sling-shot, or implement of like kind, within the corporate limits of this city, shall be fined on conviction, not exceeding five dollars.”

…

“Sec. 380. Carrying concealed weapons.—Any person who, not being threatened with, or having good reason to apprehend an attack, carries concealed about his person a bowie-knife, or any other knife of like kind or description, or a dirk, or a pistol, or fire-arms of like kind or description, must, on conviction, be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, and may be imprisoned or put to hard labor for the city for not exceeding sixty days.”

…

“Sec. 387. Unlawful to keep explosives.—It shall not be lawful for any one to keep, except at the powder magazine, more than twenty-five pounds of gun-powder or other explosive, at any one time; and such explosive must be kept only in tin canisters, well secured from fire, and shall not be sold by artificial light. Any one violating the provisions of this ordinance, shall be fined not exceeding twenty-five dollars.”

…

“Sec. 420. Carrying concealed brass knuckles and slung-shot.—Any person who carries concealed about his person brass knuckles, slung-shot, or other weapon of like kind or description, or who carries a rifle or shot gun walking cane, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, and may be imprisoned, or put to hard labor for the city for not exceeding sixty days.”

1885, AL, Offenses Against Public Safety, Chapter 6

A Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Tuscaloosa to Which Are Prefixed the Act of Congress, the Charter of the City, Amendments of the Charter, Articles of the State Constitution, etc. (Tuscaloosa, AL: M.I. Burton, 1885), 160-170. Chapter 6—Offenses Against Public Safety, §§ 375-376, § 380, § 387, & § 420. Undated.

“Section 1. It shall be deemed a misdemeanor to do, or cause to be done, any of the following acts; and any person convicted thereof shall be fined not less than five nor more than fifty dollars:”

…

“7th. To discharge any firearm within the city, unless in self-defense or while executing some law.
8th. To carry concealed on or about the person any pistol, bowie-knife, dirk or other deadly weapon.”

…
“12th. To violate any of the following provisions in relation to gunpowder and powder magazines:

        That no powder magazine shall be erected or kept within the corporate limits of the city without a special license from the Board of Aldermen, and then only upon such condition and in such place as the Board may direct.
        No merchant or other person shall keep on hand, or in store, or on his premises, within this city, more than twenty pounds of gunpowder at any one time, and this quantity shall be kept in a safe and secure box or canister completely closed.
        No vehicle employed to carry powder about the city for sale or distribution shall carry more than ten kegs at a time; and said vehicle shall be so arranged as effectually to cover up the kegs and to guard and protect the same from public view and from accidental fire.
        No boat shall deliver at this port more than ten kegs of gunpowder at one time without the permission of the Wharfmaster, and all gunpowder delivered from boats shall be delivered under the special superintendence of the said officer and according to his direction. And no person shall sell, or be allowed to sell, any gunpowder on board of or from any flatboat at this landing.
        No person shall send to or deliver in the city any powder concealed in any box or barrel, or in any other manner, purporting to be any other article, under penalty of confiscation of the whole package, in addition to the fines imposed for violations of this ordinance.
        Upon information given and sworn to before the Recorder, it is hereby made the duty of the Chief of Police to obtain a search warrant from the Recorder, and make examination of the premises named in the information, for powder, and if more gunpowder be found therein than is allowed by the ordinance to be kept, the said gunpowder shall be confiscated to the use of the city, and the offender shall be fined as herein directed.
        No powder manufactory shall be allowed to be erected or carried on within this city, or within one mile of the same, all such establishments and manufactories being hereby declared nuisances. And if any such establishment shall be begun or carried on, or if any powder-house or magazine shall be erected and used without the special license aforesaid, on report and proof made to him, the Recorder shall order said nuisances to be abated immediately by the Chief of Police.”

1867, TN, Offenses Affecting Public Safety, Ordinances of the City Council of Memphis, Ch.14, Art. 3, §1

WM. H. Bridges, Digest of the Charters and Ordinances of the City of Memphis, from 1826 to 1867, Inclusive, together with the Acts of the Legislature Relating to the City, with an Appendix (Memphis, TN: Bulletin Publishing Company, 1867), 337-339. Ch. 14 An Ordinance in Relation to Offenses Affecting Good Morals and Decency, Public Peace, Quiet, Safety and Property, and in Relation to Misdemeanors and Nuisances Generally, Art. 3 Offenses Affecting Public Safety, §1. Approved 11 July, 1867.

“12. No person, firm or incorporated company shall keep in any house in the city any loaded shell or shot, or any explosive material of any sort, not authorized by ordinance. And any person, firm or incorporated company violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than twenty nor more than one hundred dollars; and each day on which the same is so kept in the city shall be a distinct offence and punishable as such.”

1869, VA, Ordinances of the City of Richmond, Title 7 Nuisances, Ch. 46 Concerning Nuisances Not in Streets, §12

The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Richmond (Richmond, VA: V. L. Fore, Printer, 1315 Main Street, 1869), 238-239. Title 7 Nuisances, Ch. 46 Concerning Nuisances Not in Streets, §12. Passed 13 Dec. 1869.

“Sec. 1. The commander or owner of any ship or vessel arriving within the jurisdiction of Jersey City, and having more than twenty-five pounds of gunpowder on board, shall, within forty-eight hours after such arrival, and before such ship or vessel shall approach within three hundred yards of any wharf, pier or slip within the jurisdiction of the Mayor and Aldermen of Jersey City, cause the said gunpowder to be landed by means of a boat or boats, or other small craft under a penalty of not less than five dollars, nor more than fifty dollars.
Sec. 2. All gunpowder which shall be conveyed or carried through any of the streets of Jersey City, in any cart, carriage, wagon or wheel-barrow, or otherwise, shall be secured in tight casks or kegs, well headed and hooped, each of which shall be put into, and entirely covered with a leather bag or case, sufficient to prevent any such gunpowder from being spilled or scattered; and all gunpowder, more than twenty-five pounds in weight, which shall be conveyed or carried through any of the said streets in any other manner than as above directed, the person or persons conveying the same, contrary to the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a penalty of not less than five dollars, nor more than fifty dollars.
Sec. 3. It shall be lawful either to proceed with any such ship or vessel to sea within forty-eight hours after her arrival or to tranship such gunpowder from one ship or vessel to another, for the purpose of immediate exportation, without landing such gunpowder as in the former section directed; but in either case shall it be lawful to keep such gunpowder for a longer time than forty-eight hours within the jurisdiction of the Mayor and Aldermen of Jersey City, either in such ship or vessel, or landed, as in the second section of this ordinance above named, under the penalty of not less than five dollars, nor more than fifty dollars.

Note.—The provisions of the above chapter were adopted by an ordinance approved December 19, 1845. The matters herein contained being first dealt with by that ordinance, and re-enacted by an ordinance approved August 18, 1871.”

1871, NJ, Concerning the Transportation, Shipment, and Landing of Gunpowder, Ch. 23 §§1-3

Howard C. Griffiths, Revised Ordinances of Jersey City, (Compiled and Revised Under an Act Entitled “An Act to Provide for the Compilation and Revision of Ordinances in Cities of this State”–Being Chapter 183, Laws of 1897), As Amended up to July 1, 1899 (With Appendix) (Jersey City, NJ: Datz, 1899), 123. Ch. 23 Concerning the Transportation, Shipment and Landing of Gunpowder, §§1-3. First Approved 19 Dec., 1845; Re-enacted 18 Aug., 1871.

“Sec. 33. No person or persons shall store or keep at any time within half a mile of the line of buildings of this city, more than thirty pounds of gunpowder; and if at any time hereafter a greater quantity shall be found deposited in the same building, the owner or occupant, as the case may be, of the building in which the same shall be discovered shall be liable to a fine of ten dollars; provided always, that powder deposited in a magazine built for that purpose, according to the act of the legislature of this state, shall not be considered as coming within the provisions of this ordinance; and the chief of police shall inquire and make complaint of all breaches of this section of this ordinance.”

1864, NJ, General Provisions for the Prevention of Fires

The Ordinances Of The City of New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ: A. R. Speer, 1865), 108. An Ordinance to Establish and Regulate the Fire Department and for the Prevention and Extinguishment of Fires, Article 5, General Provisions for the Prevention of Fires, §33, Gunpowder, Where to Be Kept. Approved 22 June, 1864.

“Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the common council of the city of Kenosha: That no person shall fire or discharge any cannon, rifle, gun, pistol, or fire arms of any description, or fire, explode, or set off any squib, cracker, or other thing containing powder or other combustible or explosive material in any street, alley, or public ground within this city south of a line running through Lemon street from the lake to the west line of the corporation, and east of West Main Street, without the permission of the common council, or the written permission of the mayor, which permission shall limit the time of such firing, and shall be subject to be revoked by the mayor or common council at any time after it has been granted. — Any person who shall violate this section shall for each offence forfeit and pay a penalty of three dollars; and in default of the payment of such penalty, shall be imprisoned in the county jail two days, and one half of each fine imposed in such case when collected shall be paid to the person who shall make the complaint before any justice of the peace.”

“Sec. 5. No person shall be allowed to keep any gunpowder in any occupied building within the limits of this city without permission of the council;– and no person shall keep in any such building a greater quantity than ten pounds; which shall be kept in a close tin canister or canisters. Every person violating any provisions of this section, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined twenty dollars, which it shall be lawful for the treasurer of the fire department of this city to sue for in the name of the city of Kenosha; and such fines when collected shall be paid to the said treasurer for the use of the fire department; and in default of such payment, the person or persons convicted shall be imprisoned in the county jail of this county for the term of ten days.”

1858, WI, How Firearms May Be Used and what Quantity of Gun Powder May Be Kept, Ordinances of the City of Kenosha, Ordinance no. 8, §1 & §5

The Revised Charter and Ordinances of the City of Kenosha, With the By-Laws of the Council (Kenosha, WI: Telegraph Book and Job Office, 1866), 95-97. Ordinance no. VIII, For the Security of Persons and Property, §1 & §5. Passed 20 March, 1858.

“Section. 3. No person shall keep within the city, any quantity of gunpowder exceeding twenty-five pounds, or of gun cotton exceeding five pounds, for a longer period than twenty-four hours, except in the powder magazine; and said twenty-five pounds shall be kept in tin or copper canisters, neither of which shall contain over seven pounds and shall be labelled “gunpowder,” and be kept near the front or rear entrance of every building in which it is contained.”

1856, OH, An ordinance to establish a magazine, and regulate the sale of powder, §3

Standing Rules of Order of the Cleveland City Council, with a Catalogue of the Mayors and Councils of the City of Cleveland, from its Organization, April, 1856, to April, 1871, and Officers of the City Government for 1872 (Cleveland, OH: Fairbanks, Benedict & Co., 1872), 128. NB: An unusual feature of this source is that it has within it another, separate, work and title page. The bibliographic details of which are as follows: WM. C. Bunts and Geo S. Kain, General Ordinances of the City of Cleveland, in Force July 1, 1872 (Cleveland, OH: Fairbanks, Benedict & Co., 1872), 128. An Ordinance to Establish a Magazine, and Regulate the Sale of Powder, §3. Passed 10 Jan., 1956.

“1. Not more than fifty pounds of powder shall be transported in the city at one time, except by a military company, or in a vehicle constructed as the Engineer of the city shall prescribe.
2. The master of a vessel or steamer arriving in the port of Richmond with more than fifty pounds of powder on board, shall forthwith report the fact to the Harbor-Master, and take such berth as he shall assign.
3. The head man of a boat arriving in the city by the canal or river with more than fifty pounds of powder on board, shall forthwith report the fact to a police officer, and take such berth in the basin or canal as he shall direct. No fire shall be used on board of a boat having such quantity of powder on board.
4. When any person delivers more than fifty pounds of powder to a vessel, steamer or canal boat, he shall notify forthwith the Harbor-Master of such delivery to a vessel or steamer, and a police officer of such delivery to a canal boat. And the Harbor-Master shall assign a proper berth to the vessel or steamer, and the police officer shall do the same to the canal boat.
5. No person shall keep in the city longer than twenty-four hours more than two pounds of powder, except in tin canisters, or more than twenty-five pounds elsewhere than in a magazine, which shall be approved by the Council.
6. Violations of sections one, two, three, four and five by any person mentioned therein, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five nor more than fifty dollars.
7. The Committee on public grounds and buildings shall have supervision of the powder kept in or near the city, and may prescribe such regulations for the reception, storage, delivery and transportation of powder as the public safety requires. The Engineer of the city shall inspect annually the vehicles used for the transportation of powder, and report their condition to the said committee, who may require such changes and repairs to be made in the same as they deem necessary.”

1869, VA, The Ordinances of the City of Richmond, Ch. 62, Concerning Powder, §1-7

The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Richmond (Richmond, VA: V.L. Fore, Printer, 1315 Main Street, 1869), 226-227. Ch. 62, Concerning Powder, §1-7.

“8. It shall not be lawful for any person to have or keep any quantity of Gunpowder, exceeding twenty-eight pounds, in any house, store, building, or other place within the limits of the City. And all Gunpowder which shall be kept in the City, shall be kept in tin canisters, which shall not contain more than seven pounds each, under a penalty of Five Dollars for each offence.”

1851, NJ, Paterson City Ordinances, An Ordinance Concerning Police, §8

The Charter And Ordinances Of The City of Paterson (Paterson, NJ: T. Warren, Printer, Van Houten Street, 1851), 31-32. An Ordinance Concerning Police, §8.

“§ 1. It shall not be lawful for any person to have or keep any quantity of gunpowder exceeding twenty-eight pounds in weight, in any house, store, building or other place within the limits of this city.”

“§ 2. All gunpowder which shall be kept in this city, shall be kept in stone jugs or tin cannisters, which shall not contain more than seven pounds each.”

1844, Jersey City, NJ – A Law in relation to Manufactories dangerous in causing and promoting fires, and the keeping of Gunpowder, Title II, Gunpowder, how to be kept, §1-2

Charters of and Acts Relating to Jersey City, and the Ordinances Thereof; Together with Some Statistical Information, &c. (Jersey City, NJ: Southard & Post, Printers, 1844), 72. A Law in Relation to Manufactories Dangerous in Causing and Promoting Fires, and the Keeping of Gunpowder, Title II, Gunpowder, how to be Kept, §1-2.

“Sec. 1. From and after the date of this ordinance, no merchant, storekeeper, or other person whatever, shall keep, at any one time, more than fifty pounds of gunpowder on the premises used or occupied by him, within the thickly built and inhabited parts of the city, under the penalty of fifty dollars.”

1842, NJ, An Ordinance concerning Nuisances §1 Penalty for storing gunpowder

Charter and Ordinances Of The City Of Trenton, New Jersey, With Legislative Acts Relating To The City (Trenton, NJ: Naar, Day & Naar, Printers, “True American” Office, 1875), 185. An Ordinance concerning Nuisances, §1.

“It shall not be lawful for any person or persons or firm, for any purpose whatsoever, to store or keep within the limits of this city a larger quantity of powder than twenty-five pounds. All powder shall be kept well secured in a close tin or other metallic canister ; provided that larger quantities may be kept in such magazine or other place as the council may provide or designate for the storage of powder, subject to such regulations and charges as the council may prescribe.”

Revised Ordinances of the City Winchester, Together With the City Charter, and Other Acts of the General Assembly Relating to Cities and Towns (Winchester, VA: Winchester News, 1875), 68-69.

1875, VA, Ordinance XXI. Gunpowder To be kept in metallic canisters in limited quantities

“And be it further Enacted, That all such Armour, Gunpowder, and Ammunition, of whatsoever Kinds, as any Papist whatever, within this Province, hath or shall have in his House or Houses, or elsewhere, or in the Hands and Possession of any other Person at his or their Disposition, shall be taken from such Papist, or Others, which have or shall have the same to the Use of such Papist, by Warrant of any Four Justices of the Peace of the County where such Papist shall be Resident (other than such necessary Weapons as shall be thought fit by the same Justices to remain and be allowed for the Defence of the Person or Persons of such Papists, or for the Defence of his, her or their Houses), and that such Armour and Ammunition, so taken, shall be kept and maintained in such Places as the Justices of the Peace, for the said County, shall, at their next County Court, direct and appoint.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any such Papist, having, or which shall have, any such Armour, Gunpowder, and Ammunition, or any of them, or if any other Person or Persons, who shall have any such Armour, Gunpowder, and Ammunition, or any of them, to the Use of any such Papist, shall refuse to declare or manifest to the said Four Justices, or either of them, what Armour, he, she or they have, or shall have, or shall let, hinder, or disturb, the Delivery thereof to the said Justices, or to any other Person or Persons authorized by their Warrant to take and seize the same, then every such Person, so offending, contrary to this Act in this Behalf, shall forfeit and lose, to the Right Honourable the Lord Proprietary, his Heirs and Successors, his and their said Armour, Gunpowder, and Ammunition ; and shall also be imprisoned by Warrant of or from any Four Justices of the Peace of such County, by the Space of Three Months, without Bail or Mainprize.”

1756, MD, An Act to Prevent Popery within this Province

Votes and Proceedings of the Lower House of Assembly of the Province of Maryland, February Session, 1756 (Annapolis, MD: Jonas Green, 1757), 95.

See also: Maryland Historical Society, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland ; 24, 1755-1756, Ed. William H. Browne, vol. 52 (Baltimore, MD: The Lord Baltimore Press, 1935), 454.

“And be it further Enacted, That all Arms Gunpowder and Ammunition of what kind soever any Papist or reputed Papist within this Province hath or shall have in his House or Houses or elsewhere shall be taken from Such Papist or reputed Papist by Warrant under the hand of one Justice of the Peace for the County wherein such Papist or reputed Papist shall be Resident and that the said Arms and Ammunition so taken Shall be kept in Such Place as the Said Justice shall appoint. And be it further Enacted that if any Such Papist or reputed Papist having or which Shall have any Armes Gunpowder and Ammunition or any of them shall refuse to declare or manifest the Same to the Said Justice of the Peace or to any other Person Authorized by the Warrant of the Said Justice to take and Seize the same then every Such Person so Offending shall forfeit and lose the Said Armour Gunpowder and Ammunition and Shall also be imprisoned by Warrant of or from the Said Justice for the Space of three Months without Bail or Mainprize.”

1756, MD, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, Ed. William H. Browne

“Sec. 1. That no person or persons shall sell or expose for sale within the limits of the City of Bayonne, any gunpowder without having first obtained a license from the Mayor and Council of the City of Bayonne as hereinafter provided, under the penalty of twenty dollars for each offence.

Sec. 2. That no person or persons shall keep, store, or have in their possession or custody, gunpowder within the limits of the City of Bayonne, in a greater quantity than fifteen pounds at any one place, under a penalty of fifty dollars for each day said gunpowder is so kept, stored or had in his, her or their posession or custody.

Sec. 3. That before any person or persons shall sell or expose for sale any gunpowder within the limits of the City of Bayonne, he, she or they shall make application to the Mayor and Council of the City of Bayonne for a license so to do, which application shall be signed by at least five freeholders resident in the City of Bayonne, and shall not be granted until the next stated meeting of the Council after the said application is received. The Council may grant such license by a resolution passed by at least a majority of concurring votes and approved by the Mayor, or by such action as becomes necessary in cases of nonapproval by him of ordinances or resolutions affecting the city. Such license shall be valid for one year from the date of the granting thereof. The yeas and nays upon the passage of such resolution shall in all cases be recorded upon the minutes. Before any licenses so granted shall be valid, it must be first taken out and paid for, and hung up in a conspicuous place in the premises where the applicant carries on or intends to carry on the business of selling gunpowder. Every license so granted shall be sealed with the corporate seal signed by the Mayor attested by the City Clerk. The Council may revoke or annul any such license granted, in case the person or persons so licensed shall offend against any part of this ordinance. Every person or persons so licensed shall pay to the Collector of Revenue the sum of two dollars before such license shall be delivered to him, her or them.

Sec. 4. No person or persons shall keep, store or have in his, her or their possession or custody within the limits of the City of Bayonne, any nitro-glycerine, dynamite, giant powder, or any other dangerous and explosive substance, (except gunpowder in the hands of licensed dealers or fireworks in the hands of a person or persons having a permit from the Mayor and Council) unless specially authorized to do so by a resolution of the Council approved by the Mayor, under the penalty of fifty dollars for each day said substances or any of them are or is so kept, stored or had in his, her or their posession or custody.

Sec. 5. No person or persons shall sell or expose for sale any fire works of any kind or description, within the limits of the City of Bayonne, unless he, she or they shall have first obtained from the Mayor and Council of the City of Bayonne a permit so to do, which permit shall be granted on such terms, conditions and limitations as said Mayor and Council may prescribe and require, under a penalty of Ten dollars for each and every offence.”

1877, NJ, An Ordinance To Regulate the Sale, Storage, and keeping of Gunpowder and other Explosive and Dangerous Materials, within the limits of the City of Bayonne, §1-5

Ordinances of the City of Bayonne, From 1869 to 1894 (Bayonne, NJ: The Rinker Printing Co., 1894), 338-340. 

“7. And be it further Ordained, That no person or persons within the City of Richmond, shall retain in his, her or their possession at any time, more than twenty-five pounds of Powder. And every person who shall retain more than the said quantity in his, her or their possession for the space of twelve hours, shall forfeit and pay for every twelve hours, the sum of twenty-four shillings, to be recovered and appropriated as other fines and penalties are. The Powder so retained, shall be kept in Tin Canisters and not otherwise. And every person who shall keep in his, her or their possession for the space of twelve hours, two pounds of powder or more, in any other manner than herein before directed, shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, the sum of ten shillings: and for every twenty-four hours that the said Powder shall remain after the expiration of the said twelve hours, the farther sum of ten shillings, to be recovered and appropriated as herein before directed.”

1828, VA, An Ordinance, for the Government of the Powder Magazine of this City, and for other purposes

Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Richmond, and the Acts of Assembly Relating Hereto (Richmond, VA: John Warrock, 1831), 65. Chapter X, §7.

“ARTICLE 10. It shall not be lawful for any person to have or keep within the city and suburbs, or within two miles of the same, (except the public magazine, or place of depot appointed for that purpose) any quantity of gunpowder, at any one time exceeding one hundred pound weight, in any one place, house, store or out-house, which said quantity of one hundred pounds shall be separated in several stone jugs or tin canisters, each of which shall not contain more than ten pounds of powder, and shall be provided with a safe and sufficient stopper; and if any person or persons shall keep any greater quantity of gunpowder, at one time, than one hundred pounds, in any one place, house, store or out-house, or if the same gunpowder, so kept as aforesaid, shall not be separated in the manner herein above directed, he, she or they shall forfeit all such gunpowder so kept contrary to the true intent and meaning of this ordinance, or so permitted to be kept, and which shall not be separated as aforesaid, and shall also forfeit and pay a fine of not less than twenty-five, nor more than one hundred dollars, to be recovered with costs of suit, by the Mayor or any other competent magistrate; one half to the informer, and the other half for the use of the city.

ARTICLE 11. The Mayor, or any justice of the peace within the limits of the city, is hereby authorised, as often as he shall be informed upon oath, or affirmation, of probable cause to suspect any person or persons whomsoever, of concealing or keeping within the city or precincts, to the distance of two miles from the said city, any quantity of gunpowder, over and above one hundred pounds weight, as aforesaid, or of concealing or keeping in any boat, ship or other vessel within the port of New-Orleans, any quantity of gunpowder, over and above ten pounds weight, (ships of war only excepted) to issue a search warrant to be executed in the house, store, shop, or other place, or any boat, ship or other vessel designated to him, to examine into the truth of such allegation, in order that every such offender be proceeded against in the manner above specified ; or in conformity with the ordinance respecting the said port, as the case may be.

ARTICLE 12. No person shall hereafter be permitted to fire or discharge any gun, pistol, fowling piece or fire arm, nor to discharge or let off any rocket, cracker, squib or other fire-works, in any street, court-yard, lot, walk or public way, within the city or suburbs, or from the door or window of any house or other building, or near any house or other inhabited part of the said city or suburbs, on any account whatever, particularly on the occasion of festivals or public rejoicings, under the penalty of from five to ten dollars upon each offender, if the person so offending be free, and of thirty lashes, if the offender be a slave; provided always, that nothing contained in this ordinance shall be construed to extend to the reviews or exercises of any military company; and if any person or persons shall let off any fire-works, or shall make any bonfire, without having first obtained the permission of the Mayor of this city, who will appoint a place for so doing, every such person or persons shall pay the fine aforesaid.”

1840, LA, An Ordinance for preventing and extinguishing Fires

John Calhoun, Digest of the Ordinances and Resolutions of the Second Municipality of New Orleans in Force May 1, 1840, (New Orleans, LA: F. Cook & A. Levy, 1840), 46-47.

27.  If the said board of police shall have reason to believe that in the neighborhood of any election polls in the said city or elsewhere, within any election precinct of the same, there is any depot or collection of fire arms or other weapons or ammunition intended to be used for the purpose of intimidating or injuring voters, or interfering with the freedom or peace of any election then pending or approaching, it shall be the duty of said board to apply to the Criminal Court, or some justice of the peace of said city, for a warrant, on proper oath, to search the premises, and the said court or justice shall issue the same without delay, and shall cause the said arms, weapons and ammunition, if found, to be seized and delivered to said board, to be detained until the day after the returns of said election shall have been made, and until the same shall be disposed of by law. 

Full Text: Google Books

The possession of all firearms and ammunition shall be confined to the possessor’s place of business, residence, or sojourn, or to carriage as merchandise in a wrapper from the place of purchase to the purchaser’s home, place of business or place of sojourn, or between these places and a place of repair, or upon change of place of business, abode, or sojourn, except as provided in Sections 5 and 8; provided, however, that no person who has been convicted in this Territory or elsewhere, of having committed or attempted a crime of violence, shall own or have in his possession or under his control a pistol or revolver or ammunition therefor. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both.

To regulate and prevent the storage of gunpowder, dry pitch, resin, coal oil, benzene, naptha, gasoline, turpentine, hemp, cotton, nitroglycerine or any products thereof, and other combustible or explosive materials within the city, and the use thereof[.]

To regulate the storage of gunpowder and other dangerous materials[.]

§ 1. A court or justice authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases may, upon complaint under oath that the complainant believes that an unreasonable number of rifles, shot guns, pistols, revolvers or other dangerous weapons, or that an unnecessary quantity of ammunition, is kept or concealed for any unlawful purpose in a particular house or place, if satisfied that there is a reasonable cause for such belief, issue a warrant to search such property. § 2. If the court or justice finds that such property is kept for an unlawful purpose, it shall be forfeited and disposed of as the court or justice may by order direct.