The Sullivan Laws in New York date to the 1920s. My home state was just as hoplophobic back then as it is now.
I’m from Houston Texas, the fifties were great, as a kid I had guns and could order more through the mail.
Sorry to hear that. I was hunting in 1957 when the Russkis launched Sputnik. Cop stopped me during heavy snowstorm. Looked on my backseat (Buick 1951) and admired my Luger that I had just purchased through a newspaper ad (40 real American bucks). He didn’t even notice my shotguns and Marlin lever-action. His only comment: “Y’all be careful, y’hear.”
And the saying “America, love it or leave it” will always be valid.