Feb 2, 1881 – Feb 11, 1963
- 1920 competed in Summer Olympics
– won the gold medal in the individual free pistol event
– won two gold medals as member of the American team in the team 50 metre free pistol competition - 1934 – 1935 President of the National Rifle Association
- 1934 – testified during hearings on the National Firearms Act
“I have never believed in the general practice of carrying weapons. I seldom carry one. I have when I felt it was desirable to do so for my own protection. I know that applies in most of the instances where guns are used effectively in self-defense or in places of business and in the home. I do not believe in the general promiscuous toting of guns. I think it should be sharply restricted and only under licenses
“I believe in regulatory methods. I think that makes it desirable that any such regulations imposed should not impose undue hardships on the law-abiding citizens and that they should not obstruct him in the right of self-defense, but that they should be directed exclusively, so far as possible, to suppressing the criminal use, or punishing the criminal use of weapons.”
About Karl Frederick
Karl Telford Frederick (1881-1963) was an Olympic champion pistol shooter and president of the National Rifle Association during the debate over the first major federal gun law. Born in Chateaugay, New York, he studied at Princeton University and Harvard Law School. At the 1920 Antwerp Olympics he won three gold medals: the individual 50 meter free pistol, the team 50 meter free pistol and the team 30 meter military pistol. He also served as vice president of the U.S. Revolver Association.
Frederick was NRA president in 1934 and 1935 and testified that year during congressional hearings on the bill that became the National Firearms Act of 1934. His testimony, quoted above, supported licensing and regulation aimed at criminal misuse while arguing that rules should not burden law-abiding citizens or obstruct the right of self-defense. That testimony is frequently cited in modern debates over how the NRA’s positions on gun regulation have changed since the 1930s. He died in Port Chester, New York, on February 11, 1963.
Key Facts
- February 2, 1881: Born in Chateaugay, New York
- 1920: Won three Olympic gold medals in pistol shooting at Antwerp
- 1934: Testified in hearings on the National Firearms Act
- 1934-1935: President of the National Rifle Association
- February 11, 1963: Died in Port Chester, New York
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