Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.—Rev. 1.7

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ONCE FAVOURED WITH THE LIGHT OF THE
GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST,

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven,
and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes
and commandments... But they and our fathers dealt proudly,
and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to
thy commandments
.—Nehemiah 9.13,16.

Nation:Scotland
Reign:James VI
Parliament:The First Parliament of King James the Sixth (1567-12-15 — 1567-12-29)
Session:Only Session of the First Parliament of James VI

18. Anent schutting, and bearing of Culveringes and Dagges.

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18. Anent shooting, and bearing of Culverings [firelocks, muskets] and Daggs [pistols].

ITEM, Forsameikle as be the use of Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, and sik uther ingines of fire-warke, ar not onlie of the lovabil constitutions of this Realme, in slaying of wilde beastes, and foules forbidden, but als divers our Soveraine Lords lieges, ar schamefullie and cruellie murthered, slayne, and hurt, quhilkes utherwise wer abill, to make defence sufficientlie for themselves, at all times of persute, as hes bene laitlie seene within this Burgh of Edinburgh. And for eschewing and remeid thereof in time cumming: It is statute and ordained be OUR SOVERAINE LORD, with advise and consent of his Regent, and the three Estaites of this present Parliament, that na maner of person, nor persones, of whatsumever estate, degree, or condition they be of, schutt with Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, or any uther Gunnes, or ingines of fyre-warke, in any part of this Realme, nouther to Burgh nor to land (except sik, as for pastime will schut within their Inner-clois, and zaird adjacent thereto, and Marinerres, and sik as hauntes the Seas, being actuallie upon the samin, for defense of their bodies and guddes) under the paine of cutting of their right hand. And siklike, that na maner of person, nor persones, of quhatsumever estate, condition or degree they be of, beare, weare, or use onie Culveringes, Dagges, Pistolettes, or anie uther sik ingine of fire-wark, upon their persones, or in their cumpanie with them privatlie or openlie, outwith housis, without licence of our Soveraine Lorde, and his Regent had, and obteined thereupon, under the paine foresaid. PROVIDING alwayes, that the Capitanis, and men of weir, serving our Soveraigne Lord, and his Regent foresaide, actuallie in his highnesse wages, {369} nor zit the Liegis of this Realme, asweil in Regalitie, as Royaltie at weapon-schawings. Nor the Provestes, Baillies, and inhabitantis of the Burgh of Edinburgh, or utheris Burrowes of this Realme, charged be our Soveraine Lordis authoritie, to assemblies, weapon-schawingis, and conuentionis, for furth setting of his highnes service and affaires, in the time thereof: nor zit nane of our Soveraine Lords liegis in their cumming, remayning, or departing to and fra ony hostes, weiris, armies, raidis, weapon-shawingis or assemblies, being speciallie and expresselie commanded & charged, to that effect be his hienesse letters, and authoritie, Wardanes meittand at dayes of trews. And siklike they that ar followand thieves, in defence of steilling of Leill mennis gudis, and in rescours thereof, sall not be comprehended under this present Act.

ITEM, Forsomuch as by the use of Culverings, Daggs, Pistolettes, and such other engines of fire-work, are not only of the lovable constitutions of this Realm, in slaying of wild beasts, and fowls forbidden, but also divers our Sovereign Lord’s lieges, are shamefully and cruelly murdered, slain, and hurt, which otherwise were able, to make defence sufficiently for themselves, at all times of pursuit, as has been lately seen within this Burgh of Edinburgh. And for eschewing and remedy thereof in time coming: It is statute and ordained by OUR SOVEREIGN LORD, with advice and consent of his Regent, and the three Estates of this present Parliament, that no manner of person, nor persons, of whatsomever estate, degree, or condition they be of, shoot with Culverings, Daggs, Pistolettes, or any other Guns, or engines of fire-work, in any part of this Realm, neither to Burgh [town] nor to land [country] (except such, as for pastime will shoot within their Inner-court [enclosure], and yard adjacent thereto, and Mariners, and such as haunt [frequent] the Seas, being actually upon the same, for defense of their bodies and goods) under the pain of cutting off their right hand. And suchlike, that no manner of person, nor persons, of whatsomever estate, condition, or degree they be of, bear, wear, or use any Culverings, Daggs, Pistolettes, or any other such engine of fire-work, upon their persons, or in their company with them privately or openly, outwith [outside of] houses, without license of our Sovereign Lord, and his Regent had, and obtained thereupon, under the pain foresaid. PROVIDING always, that the Captains, and men of war, serving our Sovereign Lord, and his Regent foresaid, actually in his highness’s wages, {369} nor yet the Lieges of this Realm, as well in Regality, as Royalty at weapon-showings; Nor the Provosts, Baillies, and inhabitants of the Burgh of Edinburgh, or other Burrows of this Realm, charged by our Sovereign Lord’s authority, to assemblies, weapon-showings, and conventions, for forth-setting of his highness’s service and affaires, in the time thereof: nor yet none of our Sovereign Lord’s lieges in their coming, remaining, or departing to and from any hosts, wars, armies, raids, weapon-showings, or assemblies, being specially and expressly commanded & charged, to that effect by his highness’s letters, and authority, Wardens meeting at days of truce; And suchlike they that are following thieves, in defence of stealing of Leill [honest] men’s goods, and in rescours [rescue] thereof, shall not be comprehended under this present Act.