Landmark Decision: California's High-Capacity Gun Magazine Ban Overturned by Federal Judge
Federal judge strikes down California's ban on high-capacity gun magazines as unconstitutional and arbitrary, allowing magazines holding more than 10 rounds
On Friday, a federal judge declared California's ban on firearm magazines holding more than 10 rounds as unconstitutional, citing it as "arbitrary and capricious."
The ban was implemented through a 2016 proposition and had undergone multiple appeals. However, after the US Supreme Court's ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association vs. Bruen in 2022, the case was sent back to lower courts. The pivotal decision highlighted the importance of firearm regulations aligning with the language of the Second Amendment and being in line with the historical tradition of the nation.
Gavin Newsom paid a visit to Brandon Tsay, the brave individual who successfully disarmed a gunman that had opened fire at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park on Monday, January 23, 2023. The encounter took place in San Marino, CA.
Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Why California's 'strong' gun laws are in danger
US District Judge Roger T. Benitez stated in his recent decision that the prohibition of high-capacity magazines does not adhere to the necessary standards. According to him, there is no precedent in the United States of restricting firearms or ammunition based on their firing or ammunition capacity.
In his writing, Benitez argues that the government's approach of penalizing law-abiding citizens who seek larger magazines for self-defense unfairly punishes them for the actions of a small number of individuals who misuse firearms.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement called the decision "politics, pure and simple," noting Benitezs record for rolling back gun control legislation.
W051E7: The Honorable Roger T. Benitez presides over a naturalization ceremony held on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier in Coronado, California on August 22, 2006. During the ceremony, eighty-eight servicemen from 29 countries take the Oath Of Citizenship and become U.S. citizens. (Photo: Earl S. Cryer/UPI/Alamy)
California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has filed a notice of appeal in response to the federal judge's decision to overturn the long-standing assault weapons ban in California. Bonta is determined to protect the safety of Californians and defend the state's authority to prevent the use of weapon enhancements that can lead to widespread harm.
According to the decision, the ban's injunction will be temporarily suspended for a period of 10 days. Chuck Michel, the president and general counsel for the California Rifle & Pistol Association, along with several private gun owners who initially filed the case, commended the ruling. He expressed his belief that the "absurdly restrictive laws" that infringe upon the Constitution are now on a countdown.
Billy Clark, a litigation attorney at Giffords Law Center, expressed confidence that the decision would be reversed and referred to the regulations on large capacity magazines as "reasonable and in line with the constitution." This report includes contributions from CNN's Jeremy Harlan.
