(TheRedWire.com) – A U.S. district judge has ruled against a California statute prohibiting gun owners from possessing detachable magazines that hold over ten rounds. District Judge Roger Benitez delivered the judgment, although it won’t be implemented immediately. Previously, in 2017, Benitez had nullified the magazine restriction, but an appellate court overturned his decision.
In his judgment, Judge Benitez stated that there’s no historical American precedent for restricting ammo capacity. He pointed out that detachable magazines were introduced to address a limitation of older firearms: the time-consuming reloading process. He further commented that there could be situations where more than ten rounds might be necessary for defense, yet the law would deem it illegal.
California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, has signaled an intention to appeal. He said, “The district court’s decision is questionable. We’ll swiftly act to rectify this potentially hazardous error.”
Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, expressed his disapproval of the ruling, calling out Judge Benitez on social platform X, previously known as Twitter. Newsom’s post read: “California’s restriction on high-capacity magazines was overruled by Judge Benitez, who has taken an extreme stance. This continues until we make constitutional changes to prioritize our children’s safety and tackle the gun violence issue in America.”
On the other hand, Chuck Michel, head of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, appreciated the judge’s decision. Michel commented, “While the state might appeal, the countdown has begun for laws infringing on the Constitution.”
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