The Centuries Long History of Multi-Shot Firearms

The Centuries Long History of Multi-Shot Firearms will explore the centuries-long history of repeating and multi-shot firearms, challenging modern assumptions about when these technologies first emerged. David Kopel will examine early examples of repeating firearm designs, including magazine-fed firearms dating to the 1600s and superposed repeaters from the 1780s capable of firing at rates comparable to modern semi-automatic firearms. The program will place these technologies within their broader historical context and consider what their development reveals about the evolution, availability, and public understanding of multi-shot firearms long before the modern era. Through an examination of historical examples and technological innovation, the seminar will provide participants with a deeper understanding of the history of repeating arms and its relevance to contemporary discussions of firearms and the Second Amendment.