October 16, 2020
Gun News
Federal Appeals Court Blocks California's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines

www.usnews.com

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on threw out a California law banning high-capacity ammunition magazines, ruling that the measure violates citizens' constitutionally protected right to bear arms.

The ban, passed in the wake of mass shootings, bars citizens from owning "large capacity magazines" that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition.

"Even well-intentioned laws must pass constitutional muster," Appellate Judge Kenneth Lee wrote for the three-judge panel's majority, ruling that the magazine ban "strikes at the core of the Second Amendment."

"California's law imposes a substantial burden on this right to self-defense... Its scope is so sweeping that half of all magazines in American are now unlawful to own in California," Lee wrote in the ruling.

The ruling was a split 2-1 decision, with Chief U.S District Court Judge Barbara Lynn, the third judge on the appellate panel, dissenting.

Yeah, but don’t pop the cork on the champagne bottle just yet. AG Becerra came back ad asked for an En Banc hearing which will use a larger number of judges than just the 3. So, it could still go the wrong way. Fingers crossed they will still rule against the state on their appeal.

More court packing....................don't like the verdict, add more judges.

Yep

Nope, not court packing. The 9th Circuit is already appointed 29 Judgeships. It's pretty common after losing an initial decision to ask for an en banc, that doesn't always mean you will get it.