«Sono più di cento le antiche leggi sull’armi»: stato e controllo delle armi nel Granducato di Toscana d’età moderna (secoli XVI-XVIII) = State and control of weapons in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the earlymodern age

The essay aims to reconstruct the vast and complex legislation on weapons in a state of the Ancient Regime, like the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, in early modern age. This study highlights the concrete and case-based nature of thelegislator’s approach, as well as the efforts to provide a more organic arrangement to the legislation in the XVIIth century. The problems of controlling possession and carrying of weapons through licenses and the rigorous sanctions provided for by law for both of these criminal cases are also analysed. Finally, some reflections are proposed on the important innovations introduced by the law enacted in 1738 by the new ruling dynasty.