High-Capacity Magazine Laws by State

Out of the 50 States in American, nine states plus the District of Columbia currently have laws that limit the number of rounds a magazine can hold. Here’s a quick guide to the magazine restrictions in various states available at the time of this writing. It is important if you carry a concealed weapon while traveling into other states to understand that particular state’s laws about guns. If a state is not listed below, it does not have any laws restricting magazine capacity at the time of this research and blog.

Federal Ban

In 1994, Congress adopted the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, making it unlawful to transfer or possess a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” not lawfully possessed on or before the law’s enactment. The law also banned the manufacture, transfer and possession of semi-automatic assault weapons. The law was adopted with a sunset clause, however, and expired in 2004. Thus, large capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons that were formerly banned under the federal law are now legal unless banned by state or local law. The federal ban of 1994 defined a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition as a large capacity ammunition feeding device. Among states with bans, the maximum capacity is 10 to 20 rounds.

What is a High-Capacity Magazine Ban?
A high-capacity magazine ban is a law which bans or otherwise restricts high-capacity magazines, detachable firearm magazines that can hold more than a certain number of rounds of ammunition. For example, in the United States, the now-expired Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 included limits regarding magazines that could hold more than ten rounds.

Nine states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws banning large capacity ammunition magazines (LCAM): 

Nine U.S. states, DC and a number of local governments, ban or regulate magazines that they have legally defined as high-capacity. The majority of states do not ban or regulate any magazines on the basis of capacity.

The states are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. Here is specific information about each state. Please consult your local laws and authorities for the most current information.

California

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Manufacture, importation, keeping for sale, offering and exposing for sale, giving, and lending, possession

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not allowed by a law that has not yet gone into effect

Colorado

All Firearms

Capacity: 15 rounds

Prohibited: Sale, transfer and possession

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Allowed “grandfathered”

Connecticut

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Distribution, importation, keeping for sale, offering and exposing for sale, purchase, and possession

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Allowed but must be registered

District of Columbia

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Possession, sale and other transfer

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not allowed

Hawaii

Handguns Only

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Manufacture, possession, sale, barter, trade, gift,

transfer, and acquisition

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not allowed

Illinois

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 – 35 rounds - Different in different Cities

Prohibited: The regulation, licensing, possession, registration, and

transportation of concealed handguns and ammunition for

concealed handguns by licensees are exclusive powers and

functions of the State.

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not allowed

Maryland

All Firearms

Capacity 10 rounds

Prohibited: Manufacture, sale, offering for sale, purchase, receipt and

transfer

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Allowed (like all Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines.

There is no ban on possession.)

Massachusetts

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Sale, offering for sale, transfer and possession

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Allowed (“grandfathered”)

New Jersey

All Firearms

Capacity 15 rounds

Prohibited: Manufacture, transportation, shipment, sale, disposal, and

possession

Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not Allowed

New York

All Firearms

Capacity: 10 rounds

Prohibited: Manufacture, transportation, disposal and possession Treatment of

Pre-Owned: Not Allowed

This information does not constitute legal advice or guidance. Please consult your local laws and authorities for the most current information. Contact a Magazine Company for more information.

Thermold Magazines produces weapons magazines and has become the product of choice among military personnel, law enforcement officers and sport shooters around the world with their products proudly made in the US. Time-tested quality and reliability. That's Thermold. Call 877-548-4062 and/or contact us.