I am interested in learning about the development of law surrounding firearms in the United States. Can anyone recommend some good books on the subject?
I have read the sidebar and "Popular Questions" tab regarding the subject, however there does not seem to be any overarching literature recommendations included (although there are fascinating answers regarding specific times and events).
I look forward to your responses!
Honestly, one of the best I have found is Clayton Kramer's "The Racist Roots of Gun Control." It's been a while since I read it, and it clearly is attempting to reach a conclusion, but it does an absolutely fantastic job of researching early gun control laws in the US, and explaining their origins. The fact that prior to the 20th Century, pretty much all gun control laws in the US targeted minorities does, at least in my opinion justify the title. 20th Century gun control does not have a good book that I have found, particularly as anything from the Gun Control Act of 1938 (GCA 38) forward is rife with partisanship and strong biases (My own personal bias calls for a return of the days when you could buy a Thompson via mail order).
I would however, if you wanted to study up on 20th century gun control read the full text of DC vs Heller and McDonald vs Chicago as these are two very well argued, and researched cases regarding gun ownership and gun rights in the US, and touch on a great number of historical matters. You'll find both the majority and dissent useful for study on both sides of the matter.
I hope this helps, it is of course a sticky subject, and I find that any discussion from GCA 38 forward winds up creating massive partisan argument, which makes true academic sources hard to find. 19th Century gun control in the US is almost solely rooted in racism, and efforts to disarm slaves, free blacks, or other social undesirables, and is pretty much openly discussed.
You'll find too, a reading of various state constitutional provisions on the right to keep and bear arms gives interesting insight into various thinking on the matter throughout various points in US history, and could serve as a springboard for further research.
Really, one of the best things you can do, is pick a type of gun control (say GCA 38, and it's focus on machine guns, short barrel shotguns/rifles, sound suppressors, and other fun things or the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban) and examine the law itself, and the larger context behind it. Most gun control in the US is rooted in fears of particular groups of people, or in preventing certain types of real or perceived crime, and a given law tends to reflect that.