Ninth Circuit Upholds California's Large Capacity Magazine Ban

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld California's ban on large-capacity gun magazines in a 7-4 decision, stating that such magazines are not considered 'arms' protected by the Second Amendment. The court emphasized that large-capacity magazines contribute to the severity of mass shootings and do not serve a significant role in self-defense. Judge Lawrence VanDyke issued a rare video dissent, arguing that the ruling disregards the Second Amendment's protections and includes a demonstration of firearms and magazines, which drew mixed reactions from his colleagues. The majority opinion noted that even if large-capacity magazines were covered under the Second Amendment, the law aligns with historical regulations aimed at public safety. This ruling overturns a previous decision by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez, who had declared the ban unconstitutional. The ongoing debate highlights the tensions between gun rights advocates and legislative efforts to address gun violence.