Repeating firearms

The first practical repeating firearm was a revolver manufactured by Samuel Colt in 1835.34 Up to this time the vast majority of firearms were single shot. This was a serious disadvantage as the firer was defenseless for a period of time while reloading. Tfowever, the introduction of this revolver heralded the first practical multishot firearm. The revolver principle was not new, as flintlock revolvers were produced prior to 1650.35 However, these were not practical firearms as they were very prone to mechanical failure. 

U.S. Congress passes the Armed Career Criminal Act, amending the Gun Control Act of 1968. It imposes stiff fines and prison terms for felons and other prohibited classes of persons who receive, possess, or transport a firearm. An appropriation bill passed by Congress eliminates probation or suspended sentences for persons committing a federal felony with any firearm and imposes an add-on 15-year sentence for possession of a firearm by a robber or burglar who is a repeat offender. 

As early as 1718 there was a hand-operated repeating gun, and in 1862 Dr. Richard Gatling demonstrated a weapon of this kind which used revolving barrels. These weapons had severe limitations and it was not until 1884 that the first real fully automatic machine gun was patented by Sir Hiram Maxim. This was the first automatic firearm, and it was recoil operated.36 The development of the Maxim machine gun focused attention on the development of self-loading rifles and pistols. 

In the process of discharging a firearm, residue may or may not be deposited on the firer and when deposited the residue varies markedly in concentration. This occurs even with repeat firings under identical conditions where the only obvious variables are the date and time. 

Every firearm should be judged upon a consideration of its own merits, after repeated trials, and not by the prejudices and Interests of any man or party. This is the only way to arrive at right conclusions respecting the merits of any piece of mechanism. 

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