The John F. Kennedy assassination had a great impact on the country. The aftermath of

the incident led to changes in legislation. One major change that occurred was the Gun Control

Act of 1968. The reason for implementing this act was to “provide support to Federal, State, and

local law enforcement officials in their fight against crime and violence.” (Gun Control Act of

1968, sect. 101). When this act was enacted, it was the first major federal policy to take place

since 1938. Looking back in history, we find there was a law passed in 1927 prohibiting the

mailing of concealable firearms to private individuals. The problem with this law was that there

was not very much effect that took place for the reason that guns could still be ordered, mailed,

and delivered using private express companies (Zimring, 1975). This law lasted until the Gun

Control Act of 1968 was passed. This Gun Control Act passed after the assassination of John F.

Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Legislation wanted to regulate interstate

and foreign commerce of firearms (atf.gov, Gun Control Act, 2015). This act allowed tighter

control on firearm sales to private citizens. There was basically a complete ban on any private

transactions that were happening. By enacting this law, the term “dealer” became more

attractive so it became regulation to define, license, and regulate any firearms dealers. The Gun

Control Act of 1968 was partially shaped by the National Firearms Act. One way it was

relevant, the government had to license manufacturers and dealers. Another aspect was using tax

of enforcement responsibility (Zimring, 1975). As explained, a significant change in legislation

that went into effect after the assassination of JFK was the Gun Control Act of 1968 by

regulating importation and licensing provisions to prohibited persons (atf.gov, Gun Control Act,

2015).

On the other side of the spectrum, before being assassinated himself, Robert F. Kennedy

gave a speech in Roseburg, Oregon May 1968 about stricter gun laws. RFK said

“All this legislation does is keep guns from criminals and the demented and those too

young. With all the violence murder and killings we’ve had in the United States, I think

you will agree that we must keep firearms from people who have no business with guns

or rifles. There’s nothing in it that infringes on any citizen’s right to bear arms,” (Robert

F. Kennedy, 1968).

Hecklers in the crowd would shout against RFK’s address expressing ideas such as “They’ll get

them anyway,” or “Nazi Germany started with the registration of guns,”. Even the Democratic

nominee for president following Kennedy’s death said that Kennedy did not support gun control

as a panic legislation (boston.com, RFK in Roseburg, 2016). This is when President Lyndon B.

Johnson signed the Gun Control Act. Even at this time of RFK’s assassination, fourteen states

required citizens to have permit to carry a handgun, six states prohibit open carry laws

completely, twelve states allow open carry without a permit, thirteen states need some permit

from the gun owner, and the last seventeen states have local laws of restrictions (abcnews.com,

Gun Debate Spurred by Kennedy Assassination Rages on Today, n.d.).

We have seen debates about more gun control, but one bill that supported gun control did

not pass. This was known as the Dodd Bill. Senator Thomas Dodd wanted to create a bill that

would be the most extensive law in wide-range investigation into accessibility of firearms and

gun control. The Dodd Bill would have required persons to have a notarized statement on mail

orders of concealed handguns that showed evidence they were of the age eighteen, not a

convicted felon, and would not violate any state or local law. The chairperson of the Senate

Commerce Committee delayed from enacting the bill allowing more time for gun rights

supporters to mobilize. “Members reported receiving mail in the ratio of eight to one in favor of

the bill. But the tide changed during and after the hearings with an onslaught of letters against

the bill” (Goss, 2006, p.36). Many thought this bill could have saved the life of JFK because it

was proposed almost four months before his assassination but was delayed. On the other hand,

the bill only covered the investigation of handguns and not rifles which is what Kennedy was

killed by. After the assassination is when spreading the bill to rifles and shotguns occurred.

Dodd failed to gain the support of the public for this bill and on August 11, 1964, the Commerce

Committed postponed the enacting of this law and it never proceeded to take effect (Goss, 2006).

Besides changes in legislation dealing with gun control, the assassination of President

John F. Kennedy also led to law changes for future presidents. The first being no more riding in

open cars. The president is no longer allowed to ride in a convertible top car leading to

bulletproof doors, windows, and tires. Second, no more presidential stroll. Before the

assassination, presidents were allowed to walk around capital with as little as only one body

guard. Nowadays, presidential strolls are very rare and must be very well protected. The next

law is lifetime protection. After JFK was shot, his family received limited protection for a few

years, but now protection will be offered for the rest of the president’s life. At Kennedy’s term,

he was allowed to request Secret Service to back off, but now access is denied for agents to back

down and must have protection for as little as shaking hands with the crowd. Lastly, the amount

of security has been increased. The strength in 1963 was 692 agents and police. In present day,

there are about 6,500 employed by the Secret Service between special agents, uniformed officers,

and technical and administrative support (abc.com, Five Ways Kennedy’s Assassination

Changed Presidential Security Forever, 2016). As demonstrated, John F. Kennedy’s

assassination impacted us as a country and many legislation changes took place after the

incident.

Works Cited:

Zimring, F. E.. (1975). Firearms and Federal Law: The Gun Control Act of 1968. The Journal of Legal Studies, 4(1),

133–198. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/724104

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (2015, August 11). Retrieved from

https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/gun-control-act

Rossoll, N. (2013, November 22). Five Ways Kennedy's Assassination Changed Presidential Security Forever.

Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ways-kennedys-assassination-changed-presidential-security-forever/

story?id=20776254#5

Dolak, K. (2013, November 21). Gun Debate Spurred by Kennedy Assassination Rages on Today. Retrieved from

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gun-debate-spurred-kennedy-assassination-rages-today/story?id=20677433

Levenson, E. (2015, October 6). Video: Robert F. Kennedy once spoke about gun control in Roseburg, Oregon.

Retrieved from http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/2015/10/06/video-robert-kennedy-once-spoke-about-gun-

control-roseburg-oregon/Fc4YYHtz8CbfhSyeHU65nI/story.html

Goss, K. A. (2006). Disarmed: The missing movement for gun control in America. Princeton: Princeton University

Press.

The Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.keepandbeararms.com/laws/gca68.htm