Magazine Gun Laws By State

Magazine Gun Laws By State

Content updated and verified for accuracy on: November 22nd, 2024

Anti-gun lawmakers in 14 states and the District of Columbia prohibit “high-capacity” magazines. These laws claim to reduce the carnage from mass shootings despite the lack of research backing them. Sadly, politicians enact such laws without any knowledge of guns or tactics and ignore entirely the fact that magazine size has only a negligible impact on the rate of fire. 

Please review the following information for your state to stay compliant and learn how to advocate for greater gun rights with your elected representatives. 

The Current Law on California Gun Magazines 

So-called “high-capacity magazines” are designed to allow a shooter to fire multiple rounds without needing to reload. California law generally prohibits the sale of “large-capacity” magazines (CA Penal Code, § 32310). Possessing, selling, purchasing, giving away, importing, transporting, or manufacturing magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition is prohibited. 

The “generally” aspect is due to how the law is worded. The law currently bans certain types of “assault weapons” characterized by type, series, and model and according to the firearm’s general characteristics:

  1. Category One specifies six so-called assault weapons by name. 
  2. Category Two bans AK- or AR-type weapons. 
  3. Category Three bans rifles, pistols, shotguns, and other firearms with specified characteristics, including magazines holding more than ten rounds. 

A careful review of the law text reveals that the magazine ban is only due to Category Three wording, which includes “high-capacity” magazines in the list of characteristics that make select firearms prohibited. Although it may seem circuitous, the courts have upheld it as banning magazines for any firearm holding more than ten rounds. 

U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez’s ruling in September 2023 stopped the state from enforcing its large-capacity magazine ban. That ruling is currently partially stayed, though the larger constitutional question remains: whether the government can restrict certain arms. The issue was argued again in March 2024, but no resolution was reached. 

Colorado 

The Centennial State restricts the capacity of firearm magazines to no more than 15 rounds. It is illegal to sell, transfer, or possess high-capacity magazines, defined as those holding more than 15 rounds for firearms (excluding shotguns), unless the individual can prove ownership of the magazine as of July 1, 2013, and has maintained continuous possession since that date.

  • Colorado allows citizens to carry loaded handguns in their vehicles, but all other weapons transported in a vehicle must be unloaded. 
  • The City of Boulder enacted Ordinance 5-8-2, making possessing any ammunition-feeding device that can hold more than 10 rounds illegal.

Connecticut 

Connecticut law defines “large capacity magazine” as “any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has the capacity of or can be readily restored or converted to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition.” 

  • There is a grandfather provision for high-capacity magazines possessed before January 1, 2014. These magazines must be legally declared. 
  • Persons moving into the state who own magazines holding more than ten rounds must render them inoperable, sell them to an authorized dealer, or remove them from the state within 90 days. 

Delaware

In 2022, Delaware implemented legislation prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, or possession of “large-capacity magazines” (LCMs). This law aims to regulate firearms and enhance public safety by limiting access to these specific ammunition-feeding devices.

  • An LCM under Delaware law is defined as any ammunition-feeding device capable of accepting, or that can readily be converted to hold, more than 17 rounds of ammunition.
  • People with concealed carry permits are exempt. 

District of Columbia

Our nation’s capital has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, as befitting the place where anti-gun lawmakers thrive. DC prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of “large capacity ammunition feeding devices,” whether or not they are attached to a firearm. 

  • A “large capacity ammunition feeding device” is any magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition or that can be easily modified to accommodate that amount. 
  • Most DC residents cannot legally possess ammunition. 

Illinois 

Illinois law prohibits the manufacture, delivery, sale, or purchase of rifle or shotgun magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Additionally, it is illegal to have a magazine for a handgun that exceeds 15 rounds.

  • On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed Public Act 102-1116, the Protect Illinois Communities Act, into law. The Act regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois and went into effect immediately upon signing. 
  • Individuals who possessed assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other devices listed in the Act before it took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification Card account by January 1, 2024.

Hawaii 

Hawaii prohibits “[t]he manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, or acquisition of detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of ten rounds which are designed for or capable of use with a pistol.” 

  • Note that this law applies only to large-capacity magazines designed for or capable of use with a handgun.
  • No pre-owned “large capacity magazines” are exempted. 

Maryland

The Old Line State prohibits the “manufacture, sale, offer for sale, purchase, receive, or transfer of a detachable magazine that can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition for a firearm.” 

  • Current and retired law enforcement offers are exempt. 
  • Some arguments over wording in the law exist, but it is a slippery slope. 

Massachusetts

The Bay State defines “large capacity feeding devices” in Title XX, Chapter 140, Section 121, as a “fixed or detachable magazine, box, drum, feed strip or similar device capable of accepting, or that can be readily converted to accept, more than ten rounds of ammunition or more than five shotgun shells.” 

New Jersey

The Garden State prohibits “large capacity magazines,” which it defines as “A box, drum, tube or other container which is capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously and directly therefrom into a semi-automatic firearm.” 

New York 

The Empire State prohibits the manufacture, transportation, disposal, and possession of any “large-capacity ammunition feeding device,” which New York law defines as “a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip or similar device that:

  1. Has a capacity of or that can be readily restored or converted to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition
  2. Is obtained after Jan. 15, 2013, and has a capacity of or can be readily restored or converted to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition.” 
  • New York’s SAFE Act initially lowered the magazine capacity to seven rounds, but this provision was deemed unconstitutional, so the law reverted back to allowing up to ten rounds. 
  • The SAFE Act also removed the exemption for “large capacity magazines” manufactured prior to September 13, 1994. 

Rhode Island

The Ocean State prohibits “the possession, sale or transfer of any feeding device capable of holding, or readily able to be extended to hold, more than 10 rounds of ammunition to be fed continuously into a semi-automatic firearm.” 

  • Owners of magazines holding more than ten rounds face penalties of up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. 
  • A federal appeals court upheld the restrictive Rhode Island law in 2024. 

Vermont

The Green Mountain State law defines a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” as “a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept:

(A) more than 10 rounds of ammunition for a long gun; or
(B) more than 15 rounds of ammunition for a hand gun.” 

  • A grandfather provision allows larger capacity magazines that were lawfully possessed on or before April 11, 2018. 
  • Other exemptions exist for law enforcement officers and competitive shooters. 

Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has no law specifically prohibiting “large capacity” magazines for firearms. However, state law does prohibit “assault firearms,” which are defined as “any semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock.” 

  • This wording precludes owning or using magazines holding more than 20 rounds. 
  • Recent attempts to enact stricter legislation concerning magazine capacity have been defeated. 

Washington

Since 2022, the Evergreen State has prohibited the manufacture, importation, distribution, selling, and offering for sale of rifle and pistol magazines that hold more than ten rounds. 

(This information is current as of October 2024.) 

Be Aware of Local Gun Magazine Restrictions 

Other states do not specifically ban or prohibit “high-capacity” magazines or restrict magazine capacities to a limited amount. However, some local municipalities may have their own laws. 

For example, Ohio has no state restrictions on magazine capacity. Still, the City of Columbus enacted Ordinance 3176-2022, which made the previously lawful possession of gun magazines that hold 30 or more rounds of ammunition illegal. However, that law is being challenged and will go before the state Supreme Court. 

Check with your local laws to ensure you remain compliant with all laws in your area. 

Comply Now and Prepare for the Future 

Are you frustrated over how your state limits magazines? XTech Tactical’s Freedom Series is designed just for you. Get a 10-round mag with Free-State Adaptor™ to comply with local laws, plus enjoy the option to upgrade when laws or location permits.

(No information on this page is to be construed as legal advice. It is provided solely to inform citizens of the laws and rights in certain states. All information is current as of the date above. Check with your state and local laws for the most up-to-date information.)