A monumental occasion! On Friday, August 14, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down a three-year-old ban on magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, otherwise known as “large-capacity magazines” (“LCMs”). This is a significant ruling in favor of gun rights and the right to self-defense.
“California’s near-categorical ban of LCMs infringes on the fundamental right to self-defense. It criminalizes the possession of half of all magazines in America today,” the majority stated in the 2-1 ruling. This saga began in 2016 when California lawmakers prohibited possession of LCMs by amending Cal. Penal Code § 32310 to enact a wholesale ban on the possession of LCMs by almost everyone, everywhere, in the State of California. Then, later that year, California residents voted in favor of making LCM possession a misdemeanor.
“It makes unlawful magazines that are commonly used in handguns by law-abiding citizens for self-defense. And it substantially burdens the core right of self-defense guaranteed to the people under the Second Amendment,” Judge Kenneth Lee wrote in the majority opinion. “It cannot stand.”
Further, Lee wrote, “But even well-intentioned laws must pass constitutional muster. California’s near-categorical ban of LCMs strikes at the core of the Second Amendment — the right to armed self-defense. Armed self-defense is a fundamental right rooted in tradition and the text of the Second Amendment. Indeed, from pre-colonial times to today’s post-modern era, the right to defend hearth and home has remained paramount.”
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals presides over the district courts in several states, specifically, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the territories of Guam and the Mariana Islands. Based on the population of these states and territories, it covers the largest population of the 13 courts of appeals and the decisions made by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are currently only binding in those jurisdictions.
George Newhouse, U.S. LawShield California Independent Program Attorney stated, “This is a great outcome for California and all those who believe in the Second Amendment and self-defense rights. The court held ‘that LCMs are commonly owned and typically used for lawful purposes and are not “unusual arms” that would fall outside the scope of the Second Amendment.’ Further, Judge Lee emphasized how important large-capacity magazines might prove for those who live in rural areas where the local sheriff may be miles away, those who may be trapped in high-crime areas, communities that distrust or depend less on law enforcement, and many more who rely on their firearms to protect themselves and their families. Naturally, this ruling may be challenged by the opposing side and even result in a Supreme Court case, yet it marks a “win” for those who believe in our inalienable rights as Americans, the Second Amendment, and the right to self-defense.” Newhouse added.
Read more about California gun laws
So, yes, we will celebrate regarding this special day in August when your most basic right to self-defense was re-affirmed in the most unlikely of places: California. As always, should you have questions about the law of self-defense, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak with your Independent Program Attorney.
The preceding should not be construed as legal advice nor the creation of an attorney-client relationship. This is not an endorsement or solicitation for any service. Your situation may be different, so please contact your attorney regarding your specific circumstances. Because the laws, judges, juries, and prosecutors vary from location to location, similar or even identical facts and circumstances to those described in this presentation may result in significantly different legal outcomes. This presentation is by no means a guarantee or promise of any particular legal outcome, positive, negative, or otherwise.
Hopefully this will cause LCM bans in other states to fall as well.
Yo they aren’t DemoCrats ….change out the C for an N and that is more fitting!
How does this effect the max 15 round capacity the morons in the Colorado Legislature passed? Anybody know?
It probably doesn’t. Colorado isn’t in the 9th Circuit.
Look out judge pelosi will have yor head
Watch out Your Honor , King Schumer and Queen Pelosi and Princes Hillary are madder than wet hens.They’ll have Lord Biden change the laws to suit Muhammad O’Bummer. That is of course if the DemoRats can cheat enough to get the election to turn out their way.
When can this be applied to New Jersey? Gov Murphy banned all mags over 10 rounds including no grandfather of existing. I think it carries a mandatory prison sentence.
Sounds great for residents of California but how or will it have any effect on New Jersey’s ban ?
Make America FREE from “Personal Choice” persecution by Anti-American politicians
I’m also concerned about the ban of more than 10 round magazines in the state of New Jersey as well I hope this precedent will overturn our ban. Can our states representatives for US Law Shield speak on this?.
Nj has the 10 round ban for a while now. I never hear of anyone challenging them. I hope I’m wrong and they are
California may fight this decision and ask for an “en banc” hearing by the entire 9th Cir. instead of the current panel of 3. If they can get a majority of left-wingers on review, they may yet prevail. However, the case would likely then go to the US Supreme Court, which has a history of reversing the 9th Cir.’s wackier decisions. But a majority of the Supremes have been trending extreme left lately.
How does the 10 round mag for Illinois affect this ruling?