Mag importation

[Andy Taylor]

I am planning a trip to AZ this winter and intend to take my Browning Hi-Power and some 13 round mags with me for carry while there. I currently legally own the mags in CA as they were purchased durring the previous century.
Would I be importing mags when I return if I brought them back with me? I certainly do not want to leave them in AZ. I have other pistols I could take instead that do not have 10+ mags. I am just rather fond of my BHP and want to carry it.
Please do not suggest I purchase 10 rounders for my BHP. Since the original 1994 Clinton ban went into effect I have refused to purchase neutered mags, will continue to do so.

[wash]

You can take them out and bring them back as long as you maintian your California resident status*.

If you are hassled over it, I suggest you clam up and call one of "the right people".

Chances are you won't get hassled over it.

* or the magazines maintain their California resident status, you could leave them in storage for years while you are not a California resident and then use them after you come back since you never imported them.

[Decoligny]

You can take them out and bring them back as long as you maintian your California resident status*.

If you are hassled over it, I suggest you clam up and call one of "the right people".

Chances are you won't get hassled over it.

* or the magazines maintain their California resident status, you could leave them in storage for years while you are not a California resident and then use them after you come back since you never imported them.

As long as you possessed them in California before 1 Jan 2000, then you can take them into or out of the State anytime you like.

If you visited CA in 1990 and owned the mags and had them with you, and then went back home until two weeks ago, you can still bring them back with you, because you legally possessed them in CA before 1 Jan 2000.

There is no residency requirement listed anywhere in the Penal Code concerning large capacity magazines.

12020. (a) Any person in this state who does any of the following is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison:
...
(2) Commencing January 1, 2000, manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, or lends, any large-capacity magazine.
...


(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
...
(23) The importation of a large-capacity magazine by a person who lawfully possessed the large-capacity magazine in the state prior to January 1, 2000, lawfully took it out of the state, and is returning to the state with the large-capacity magazine previously lawfully possessed in the state.

[wash]

That's a good catch.

I made the mistake of thinking the law must have made some sense.

Silly me!

[Andy Taylor]

When did any CA gun law make sense?
Anyway, thanks guys.