High Capacity Magazines Are Illegal in These States

America is undoubtedly attached to its Second Amendment right to bear arms. When choosing a gun, potential-buyers are faced with an assortment of options. Handguns, rifles, pistols, and machine guns are all readily available in the United States. Most American gun owners say their primary goal is to protect themselves and their loved ones, while hunters use their guns to kill game. However, as American citizens know all too well, guns can also be used for criminal purposes.

When it comes to public shootings, it seems clear that shooters do not just choose any gun at random. A gun violence prevention organization, the Giffords Law Center, discovered that high-capacity magazines were used in the majority of deadly mass shootings in the United States. These magazines allow a gun to discharge multiple rounds without the necessity to reload. Though there is not an exact definition of a high-capacity magazine, most states generally acknowledge it as any magazine able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition (though some states set a higher limit). Such powerful and efficient weapons are capable of injuring and killing many more people in a shorter period of time than a regular gun would allow. 

Analyzing information gathered by the Giffords Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states that have implemented regulations on high-capacity magazines, and Washington D.C. was included in our analysis. Of the 15 jurisdictions listed, only two do not outright prohibit the possession of high-capacity magazines. In Maryland and Washington, limitations on high-capacity magazines typically pertain only to their manufacturing, sale, and distribution rather than direct possession.

Why We’re Covering Gun Laws

Guns offer Americans a way to protect themselves, and for this reason, many people aren’t willing to give up their weapons. However, some citizens believe there should be restrictions on these guns, so they aren’t used to injure the innocent. The rules surrounding guns and the views on them are ever-changing, and it’s important to understand the laws in your state and across the country surrounding guns.

These are the states with high-capacity magazine bans:

California

California limits all kinds of firearms to 10 rounds. These restrictions apply to almost all facets of gun ownership, including manufacturing, importation, keeping for sale, exposing for sale, offering for sale, giving, lending, and possession. For now, people are still allowed to own high-capacity magazines, but a new, more restrictive law is set to go into effect in California that would limit even these.

Colorado

Colorado is a little more lenient than Colorado, allowing 15 rounds for all firearms. The restrictions are also only few a few areas of gun ownership, including sale, possession, and transfer. Additionally, all previously owned high-capacity magazines are exempt from the ban.

Connecticut

Connecticut has a legal magazine capacity limit of 10. The limit applies to distribution, purchase, possession, importation and keeping, offering, and exposing for sale. High-capacity magazines already owned before the limit was put into place are allowed, but they must be legally registered.

Delaware

In Delaware, the limit is 17 rounds for all firearms. These restrictions apply to possessing, transferring, receiving, purchasing, selling, and manufacturing firearms. All high-capacity magazines are banned, even legacy ones. However, if you have a concealed carry permit, you are exempt.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, there is a limit on magazines, however, the limit is only for handguns. Handguns have a limit of 10 rounds. This capacity limit applies to the barter, trade, gift, possession, transfer, acquisition, and manufacturing of handguns. Additionally, there is no exception for legacy high-capacity magazines.

Illinois

Illinois has legal magazine capacity limits for long guns and handguns. For long guns, the limit is ten rounds. Meanwhile, for handguns, the limit is increased to 15 rounds. Restrictions apply to sales, deliveries, purchases, and manufacturing. Illinois also has a rule that the restrictions also apply to people causing someone else to sell, possess, deliver, or manufacture said magazines. Legacy high-capacity magazines are allowed but are limited to specific circumstances and locations.

Maryland

Maryland has a 10-round capacity limit for magazines for all firearms. This applies to the sale, offering of sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, and manufacturing of magazines. There are no limits in place for people who purchased high-capacity magazines before the law went into effect.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts limits magazines to a capacity of no more than ten rounds. This limit applies to all firearms. The restriction applies to sales, offering of sales, possession, and transfers. All high-capacity magazines purchased before the ban are exempt from the rules.

New Jersey

New Jersey has a limit of 10 rounds for all firearms. This includes transportation, manufacturing, shipment, possession, sale, and even disposal restrictions. Some high-capacity magazines are exempt if purchased beforehand, but it’s limited to magazines purchased before July 13, 2019, and they must hold no more than 15 rounds.

New York

New York also has a limit of 10 rounds for all firearms. This applies to manufacturing, disposal, possession, and transportation. No legacy high-capacity magazines are allowed.

Oregon

Oregon also has a ban on magazines, limiting it to 10 rounds for all firearms. The restrictions apply to transfer, importation, use, sale, manufacturing, possession, and purchase. There are exemptions for high-capacity magazines purchased before the limit was put in place, but they can only be used in certain circumstances and locations.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is another state with a limit of 10 rounds for all firearm magazines. Restrictions have been put in place for the sale, offer of sale, transfer, manufacture, purchase, possession, and even to have under one’s control. There is no exemption for legacy high-capacity magazines.

Vermont

Vermont has a limit on magazine capacity, limiting it to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns. These restrictions are in place for manufacturing, sale, offer of sale, receipt, purchase, transfer, and possession. High-capacity magazines purchased before the ban are exempt.

Washington

Washington is another state with a limit of 10 rounds for all firearms. Restrictions apply to distribution, importation, manufacturing, and sales. There is no limit or ban on previously purchased high-capacity magazines.

Washington D.C.

While not technically a state, Washington, D.C., has its own limits on gun magazines. The current capacity limit is ten rounds for all firearms. The restriction applies to possession, sale, and any other form of transfer. There are no exceptions on the size of high-capacity magazines purchased before the law went into effect.

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