The new law, which came into effect on 1 November 1716, aimed at "securing the peace of the highlands in Scotland".

It outlawed anyone in defined parts of Scotland from having "in his or their custody, use, or bear, broad sword, poignard, whinger, or durk, side pistol, gun, or other warlike weapon" unless authorised.

This new law was enforced by Major-General George Wade, who used it to successfully confiscate a significant number of weapons.

Wade's efforts to confiscate weapons of war from was proven by the number of antiquated weapons utilised by Jacobites who answered the call when Charles Edward Stuart began the Jacobite rising of 1745 at Glenfinnan in 1745.

Nevertheless, Jacobite Army troops quickly acquired many of Brown Bess muskets and bayonets after their victory at the Battle of Prestonpans.