The Black Panther Party was, in a sense, a well-regulated militia attempting to secure their community against police brutality and overreaching. However, because they were viewed as hostile and fighting racism, which was a no-no, somehow both Democrats and Republicans could come together to create a law that banned the carrying of loaded weapons in public.

Ronald Reagan said that there was “no reason why on the street today a citizen should be carrying loaded weapons,” and that guns were a “ridiculous way to solve problems that have to be solved among people of good will.” He then added that the bill “would work no hardship on the honest citizen.”