History Shows Pistols Were Common in Revolutionary America

Summary

An Ammoland article highlights research by Clayton Cramer and Joseph Edward Olson, published in the Willamette Law Review on June 3, 2008, providing extensive historical evidence that pistols were commonly owned in Revolutionary America. This research counters arguments against the inclusion of concealed arms in Second Amendment rights, citing records from April 1775 where Boston residents surrendered 634 pistols out of 3,400 total weapons to General Gage. The article also notes that handguns comprised 54% of firearms added to the US private stock in 2023.