Firearms magazines capable of holding 10 or more rounds, often mislabeled as “high-capacity” or “large-capacity” magazines, are overwhelmingly preferred nationally by law-abiding gun owners, according to a recent report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
“The Detachable Magazine Report 1990 – 2021” found that the national standard for magazine capacity for America’s gun owners is, in fact, greater than 10 rounds. The report surveyed more than 30 years of detachable magazine production and distribution. It found that, of the roughly 963 million detachable magazines supplied from firearm manufacturers and in the aftermarket, almost 718 million—nearly three fourths—have a capacity exceeding 10 rounds, which is also the limit some states place for lawful magazine possession.
“With nearly 1 billion detachable magazines in circulation, for both rifles and pistols, they are unquestionably commonly owned and commonly used for lawful firearm use, including recreational target shooting, hunting and self-defense. They are ‘arms’ within the meaning of the Second Amendment. Detachable magazines are integral to the design of, and necessary for the proper functioning of, today’s modern semi-automatic firearms,” wrote the NSSF in its press release for the study.
The study also found that approximately 46% of the magazines in the study are rifle magazines with a capacity of 30 rounds or more. It also found that the percentage of detachable magazines with a capacity of 11 or more is about 55% of total pistol magazines sold between 1990 and 2021.
The importance of this study showing that these magazines are the standard cannot be understated. Given their prevalence, they are protected by Heller’s (2008) “in common use” standard. This is crucial, as President Joe Biden (D) has routinely sought to ban these very magazines that are used by countless law-abiding Americans. Of course, this is but one item he’d like to ban on his undoubtedly long list, despite constitutional protections prohibiting him from doing so.
Biden has previously said, “Talk to most responsible gun owners, most hunters—they’ll tell you there’s no possible justification for having 100 rounds—100 bullets—in a weapon.” Another time, he said, “Who in God’s name needs a weapon with 100 rounds in the chamber?”
On magazine capacity, he routinely argues that nobody needs 100 rounds, but in reality, his proposed bans would affect any magazine holding more than 10 rounds, not 100. As such, the need to clearly show that these magazines are in common use is important.
This further illustrates the need for judges and Supreme Court justices who faithfully interpret the U.S. Constitution, which is a direct result of electing pro-Second Amendment candidates.
