The topic of gun control continues to be one of the most contentious issues in America. Guns with high-capacity magazines were used in all ten of the deadliest mass shootings of the last decade. While a previous ban on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons was passed by Congress in 1994, it was allowed to expire in 2004.
The tragedy in Lewiston, Maine, resulting in 18 lives lost and over a dozen injured, was the deadliest active-shooter incident in the U.S. in 2023. The use an assault-style weapon in this incident reignited discussions at the White House for gun control reform, including proposals for banning high-capacity magazines.
The topic of gun control has always been a highly debated subject. And while political deadlock on Capitol Hill has hindered efforts to strengthen federal firearm regulations, several state governments have successfully enacted bans on high-capacity magazines.
High-capacity magazines enable shooters to discharge more rounds without needing to reload, reducing chances for victims to escape or for law enforcement to intervene. The Giffords Law Center, a gun violence prevention organization, has observed that high-capacity magazines have been a common denominator in almost every one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in recent years.
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.
In several other states on this list, individuals who owned high-capacity magazines before bans were enacted are still permitted to keep them. However, in some instances, this may require obtaining a special permit or registration.
It is important to note that there is no universally accepted definition of exactly what qualifies as a high-capacity magazine. While in most states on this list, magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition are considered high-capacity, some states set a higher threshold, ranging from 15 to 17 rounds.
These are the states with high-capacity magazine bans:
California
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, importation, keeping for sale, offering and exposing for sale, giving, lending, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed until a new, more restrictive, law goes into effect
Colorado
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 15 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Sale, transfer, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – previously owned high-capacity magazines are exempt from ban
Connecticut
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Distribution, importation, keeping for sale, offering and exposing for sale, purchase, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed, but must be registered
Delaware
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 17 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, or possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed – but concealed carry permit holders are exempt
Washington D.C.
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Possession, sale and other transfer
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed
Hawaii
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds rounds for handguns only
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift, transfer, and acquisition
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed
Illinois
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for long guns; 15 rounds for handguns
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, delivery, purchase, or causing another to manufacture, sell, or deliver, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – previously owned or inherited high-capacity magazines are exempt from ban, but their use is limited to specific circumstances and locations
Maryland
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, offering for sale, purchase, receipt, and transfer
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – there is no ban on possession
Massachusetts
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Sale, offering for sale, transfer, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – previously owned high-capacity magazines are exempt from ban
New Jersey
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, transportation, shipment, sale, disposal, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed – unless capable of holding 11-15 rounds and registered before July 13, 2019
New York
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, transportation, disposal, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed
Oregon
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, transfer, importation, use, possession, and purchase
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – previously owned or inherited high-capacity magazines are exempt from ban, but their use is limited to specific circumstances and locations
Rhode Island
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, possession, and have under one’s control
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Not allowed
Vermont
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for long guns; 15 rounds for handguns
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, sale, offering for sale, purchase, receipt, transfer, and possession
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – previously owned high-capacity magazines are exempt from ban
Washington
- Legal magazine capacity limit: 10 rounds for all firearms
- Restrictions apply to: Manufacture, import, distribution, and sale
- Personal ownership of legacy high-capacity magazines: Allowed – there is no ban on possession
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