High capacity magazines at the range

[Never Convicted]

Bob said it best :

"As a sidenote not a single person has been arrested (primary charge) on any Standard (hi) capacity magazines violations.

There is no chance (if you keep your mouth shut) that a police officer could arrest you for using a hi cap magazine at the gun range.

There have been NO arrests at any gun ranges since this law went into effect 11 years ago.

Since owning or possessing hi caps is not illegal, there is no Probably Cause to get hooked up and hauled downtown (if you keep your mouth shut)

The impossible burden on any DA is to prove otherwise.

Never talk to the police."

Very valid, true, real life post, not hypotetical/waste of what time, like others.

[jonni]

I remember seeing a post that said the statue of limitations for high cap mags is 3 years (or 5 years?) Is that true?

[morfeeis]

I remember seeing a post that said the statue of limitations for high cap mags is 3 years (or 5 years?) Is that true?

it's 3 years

[IntoForever]

can't be passed on. but if it was found, then it is legal.

I'm wondering how many were minors owning 'high cap' magazines before this deranged law existed? When my Niece turned 13 I bought her a rifle and when my Nephew turns 13 he gets one and if the laws weren't in place, they would also get >10 rd magazines. When I see people who were no way 18 when the law went into effect it makes me happy thinking this is the case. I was lucky enough to be in a gun store when the customer next to me was discussing the 1994 laws regarding magazines and we stocked up on them, even for guns we didn't own.
Opening your mouth is a sure way to get busted, I've had many people tell me they did things that weren't quite legal and they have no idea who I work for. Hopefully they don't say that to a LEO who would bust them.

[Vanguard]

"High capacity magazine" makes me LOL. They're really just STANDARD capacity magazines. California mandates LOW capacity magazines.

[PressCheck]

I shot my CCW qual with 15 round G21 mags (13+2 with one in the pipe) with my G21 & G30SF - Had no problems with the Sheriff's Range Master.

[JaeOne3345]

People sweat magazine capacity way too much. If the large (normal) capacity magazine is not in a bullet button rifle or some other configuration that has a written limit on capacity, then who gives a ****? I have better things to worry about. The LEO I know do not give a rats *** about magazine capacity either. My roommate (LEO) will tell you straight to your face that unless it is in some illegal configuration, being imported, etc, he can't and won't do a damn thing to you. It isn't worth his time.

Lytle Creek? Stay away from that ****ty range. I was harassed there by a toothless vagabond who said my featureless rifle was not legal. I ended up getting into a heated argument with him and got my money back plus a free visit, but I choose not to return. The people at Lytle Creek simply do not understand the law. Supposedly the Forest Ranger who oversees the land is not up to date on what is legal/illegal either. Really a shame.

West End Gun Club is right next to Lytle Creek and you can shoot without being bothered.

The bottom line is, there is nothing wrong with having them, and there is nothing wrong with using them in a configuration that has no prohibition against them. How people acquire them is another issue, but as we keep repeating, it's up the state to prove you got them illegally. Judging by the fact that no one has been prosecuted, it is fairly safe to say they don't have the time to chase after people for that either.

If you get busted for selling/importing or something similar, you're a dumb ***. Take the mags apart. That's your fault. In my opinion you would have to be an idiot to actually get popped.

I use large/standard capacity pre bans all the time at ranges other than Lytle Creek and nobody gives a rats ***.

[Decoligny]

However it is not illegal to OWN or POSSESS any capacity magazine in California.

But I see your point...

And even if they did import/manufacture them, as long as they did so more than three years ago, no problem. It's called the statute of limitations.

They may have committed a crime in the past, but it is too late to prosecute.

Disclaimer: I am in no way advocating that someone commit a crime by importing/manufacturing a large capacity magazine and hiding the fact for three years.

[socalocalypse]

It seems like busybody gun owners are more interested in enforcing the ban than anybody else.

I shot my friends no bb 'evil' norinco ak with a drum at the range the other day. The range guys cared about safe operation. Only other shooters concerned themselves with the legality of my friend's registered assault weapon.

That said, I own 30 rd mags legally but only shoot 10 rd mags at the range. I don't want to plug the 30 rd mags or need the attention bringing them causes.

[tenpercentfirearms]

Possession of standard capacity magazines is not illegal? You better read this article.

http://www.bakersfield.com/blogs/breaking_news/x651158303/Two-arrested-on-suspicion-of-numerous-drug-gun-charges

Jerardo Sital, 39, was arrested on suspicion of possession of meth, possession of meth for sales, maintaining a residence for drug sales, being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a gun, possession of meth while in possession of a gun, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, two counts of possession of high capacity magazines, being a felon in possession of ammunition, two counts of possession of explosive devices, possession of stolen property and five counts of child endangerment.

That being said I have all sorts of large capacity magazines that I came into possession of after 2000. I have a large capacity magazine permit in my name!

[Sniper3142]

Possession of standard capacity magazines is not illegal? You better read this article.

http://www.bakersfield.com/blogs/breaking_news/x651158303/Two-arrested-on-suspicion-of-numerous-drug-gun-charges

That person was a FELON and therefore couldn't legally posses ANY firearms or related items, including magazines of any capacity.

[bwiese]

I have hundreds of over-10rd mags - some for guns I don't even own yet. I bought these in 1998-99 before the laws changed.

I freely shoot them at the range, travel with them, etc.

[JaeOne3345]

That person was a FELON and therefore couldn't legally posses ANY firearms or related items, including magazines of any capacity.

Exactly, the guy is a felon. Thus why he even got busted for ammo. Easy to understand that situation.

[tenpercentfirearms]

That person was a FELON and therefore couldn't legally posses ANY firearms or related items, including magazines of any capacity.

That might be, he was still charged for "two counts of possession of high capacity magazines"...according to the newspaper. He was not charged for felon in posseession of magazines.

So it would appear you can be charged for possession of large capacity magazines. I would expect the charges to be dropped, but charged he was.

[JaeOne3345]

It came from a newspaper.

Newspaper/media trustworthy about anything, let alone guns? Never. lol.