A San Diego-based federal judge on Friday blocked a new state law that requires gun owners to dispose of their high-capacity gun magazines.
The law, Prop 63, was approved in the November election and was set to take effect on Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez issued the temporary block in defense of gun owners’ Second Amendment rights.
The ban, for now, is on hold and lawful gun owners with high-capacity magazines need not dispose of them.
“Any magazine holding more than 10 rounds is considered high-capacity,” writes NBC 7 San Diego. “Only federally licensed dealers can sell them. In California, only law enforcement can purchase high-capacity magazines.
“Prop 63 is the first state law to make it illegal for a civilian to possess high capacity magazines.”
Supporters of the ban cite mass shootings like the December 2015 San Bernardino terror attack. Others deem high-capacity magazines unnecessary if not dangerous.
Opponents say nothing will stop a criminal from breaking the law so what’s the point of passing further regulations that would burden lawful gun owners.
Not only that, but it would make criminals of lawful gun owners who possess magazines purchased lawfully.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) praised the stay as a “huge win for California gun owners who have long-suffered under a state government hostile to the Second Amendment.”
“California’s attempt to ban the possession of standard capacity magazines is unconstitutional, and an affront to law-abiding gun owners who have safely, and lawfully owned these tools for decades,” Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action Chris W. Cox said in a statement.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, the case could take several months to resolve.
Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!