California: Los Angeles Mayor Signs Large-Capacity Magazine Ban Ordinance

On Friday, August 7, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti signed Council File 13-0068 into law, which will take effect on September 19, 2015.

This means that residents of Los Angeles who legally possess magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition must sell those magazines, remove them from the city, or turn them over to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by November 20, 2015.  All California residents, except for a special few, will be precluded from entering the City of Los Angeles with such magazines. In addition to being a flawed policy that inhibits one’s inherent right to self-defense, this is extremely problematic because it is almost impossible to go any significant distance in Southern California without passing through the City of Los Angeles.

What Is Considered a “Large Capacity Magazine”

Los Angeles’ definition of a “large-capacity magazine” is identical to that found in California Penal Code section 16740. This includes any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.There are three notable exceptions:

1)  Any feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot hold more than 10 rounds;

2)  Any .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device; and

3)  Any tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.

This definition is applicable whether the magazine is assembled or disassembled.  There are also several uses and categories of individuals that are exempt from the magazine ban. Those exemptions can be viewed here (page 6).

You may store your magazines outside of Los Angeles. Be aware, however, that storing your magazines with friends or family outside of Los Angeles may qualify as an “unlawful transfer” under state law.  

Help Stop These Measures from Passing in Other Jurisdictions

With Los Angeles taking this misguided step, it is becoming even more likely that other California cities will follow suit.   

You can assist in the fight to defend gun owners’ rights in California courts by donating to the NRA Legal Action Project today. For a summary of some of the many actions the NRA has taken on behalf of California gun owners, including the tremendous recent victory in the Peruta case, click here.