In a major reversal, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California's ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds is constitutional, overturning a previous decision by San Diego Federal Judge Roger Benitez.
The 7-4 ruling, authored by Judge Susan Graber, determined that high-capacity magazines are not protected under the Second Amendment, classifying them as optional accessories rather than arms. The court found that firearms can operate effectively without these magazines and that the ban aligns with historical traditions of protecting public safety.
The case stems from California's 2016 voter-approved law that made ownership of magazines holding more than 10 rounds illegal. While such magazines were already banned from sale and manufacture in the state, the 2016 measure extended to mere possession.
The legal battle has seen multiple twists, including previous rulings by Judge Benitez in favor of gun owners and interventions by the Supreme Court. The latest decision applies the standard set by the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen ruling, which established new criteria for evaluating Second Amendment cases.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the decision, stating the law helps prevent mass casualty events by limiting shooters' capacity before reloading. However, the California Rifle & Pistol Association, which led the legal challenge, announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The ruling sparked notable dissent, including an unusual video demonstration by Judge Lawrence VanDyke in his chambers, which the majority deemed "wildly improper." The dissenting judges, all Trump appointees, argued that the majority's decision contradicts Supreme Court guidance on Second Amendment rights.
This decision represents the latest development in California's ongoing efforts to regulate firearms and related equipment, though further legal challenges appear likely.