After watching a Law & Order about gun control, I have to ask: around the time of the [American] Founding Fathers, how common were firearms in daily life? Who would carry them, and in which settings (would they be left at home or carried on one's person?)

And why do the American and British militaries salute differently?

I've always been interested in history and was considering pursuing History as a major. I figured I might as well ask Historians how hard it is to become one.

Edit: Wow, I wasn't expecting so many responses! Thank you everyone!

Also: Was there only one per court? Were they really the only one who could say ANYTHING to the king?

There are plenty of examples of slaves being used as soldiers, such as the Ghulam and Mamluks of Egypt, the slave soldiers of many West African empires, and a large number of Brazilian soldiers during the Paraguayan War. It does not at all make any sense to me. Why would one entrust the lowest, least loyal members of society, with a personal stake in overthrowing the government with the means to overthrow the government. Also why would they at all make good soldiers when they're unwilling to fight?

Many European countries take pride themselves in having Freedom of Press. However, how was the situation like in their colonies? Would there be the possibility open critisism of the French in Algeria by Algerians, or elsewhere like in India or South-east Asia ?

Title says it all, really - what would William I have called the kingdom he invaded? I'd be curious to know the Norman names for Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Britain as a whole as well if possible.

Anti-Semitic seems to be a misnomer, any history behind this term is greatly appreciated.

One of the central tenants of the catholic priesthood is abstinence. However, countless Catholic priests and even Popes had sex with prostitutes, chased women, and some even fathered children. How did they justify this to themselves, or to other Catholics? Obviously we can assume that many priests didn't believe as strictly in the word-for-word Bible as they led their people to believe. But there were literally thousands of priests documented as living a carousing lifestyle. Were the all just secret atheists? Or did they think they were going to hell or what? Also, how did they justify this behavior to their parishoners? Why would anyone listen to priests who claimed to be men of God, but lived such hedonistic lives?

I'm looking for things like armor, weapons, siege tactics, formations, and overall combat effectiveness. Would the quality of an individual/s training have increased or decreased? Were the Roman generals more talented during the Republic or the Empire?

Was watching a film and noticed that they where just trying to hit each other and it made me think if they just didn't bother back in sword fighting times.

I know films are not factually correct ofcourse but figured i would ask.

How did Paul’s epistles become seen as Gospels that were normative for all Christians despite clearly being letters addressed to specific people or communities regarding the specific issues they face? And when did they start to circulate to other churches?

My great-great grandmother was stolen by Native Americans and that's about as much as we know. My grandfather told me the name once upon a time of the group of people that took her and when I searched the name it turned out they were actually people that kidnapped people and sold them to Native Americans. The name slips my mind at the moment. Any ideas? If it helps this was Northern Mexico, US/Mexican border.

And when did Romans stop believing in sacred chickens? And why exactly did chickens become sacred? Of all the animals in Italy, why chickens?

I'm asking this because I'd like to know your opinion about what makes a country a Western one. I've read some definitions but it's still not clear to me. Some societies seem to be divided when it comes to define themselves as Western or let's say indigenous, especially in South America.