Speed loaders

[sirdutch]

I read today that speed loaders, the ones that you use to load an empty AR magazine with, to save my thumb in my case, are illegal to have or at least on your person while not at your home.

Is that true? I've been behind the curve a lot lately so I wouldn't be surprised with anything.

[BearCreekRoad]

Joke answer: Yes, they are illegal to have pre-loaded with ammo, if you are a convicted felon.

Serious answer: Where the heck did you read that nonsense? There are a lot of things that are illegal. For example the typical AR configuration sold in other states (with pistol grip and non-fixed magazines) is considered an assault weapon in California, and only legal if registered as such, and new registrations are de-facto impossible. And normal 30-round magazines are illegal to buy and sell in California; whether they're illegal to own is currently unclear and in court, and they remain a nuisance and can be confiscated. But I've not heard ever that there is any laws about stripper clips and speed loaders.

[sirdutch]

Thanks for your quick reply. I'll find the source, copy and paste it and post it. It's just that it wouldn't be surprising in this state if they actually did that.

[sirdutch]

BearCreekRoad

In California, the laws regarding speed loaders are relatively strict. Under California law, it is illegal to manufacture, import, sell, give, lend, buy, or receive any device that is designed or intended to be used to increase the rate of fire of any semiautomatic firearm, including detachable magazines, stripper clips, or speed loaders, unless specifically authorized by state law. Violations of this law can result in criminal charges and penalties.

Other states may have different laws regarding speed loaders. Some states may have laws that restrict the use of certain types of ammunition or accessories, including speed loaders, while others may have no specific laws or regulations related to these items.

It's important to note that laws related to firearms and ammunition can vary widely from state to state and can be subject to frequent changes. If you have questions about the legality of speed loaders or other firearms-related items in your state, it's best to consult with a knowledgeable legal professional or contact your local law enforcement agency for guidance.

[sirdutch]

Quora was the source, by the way. Perhaps that's the issue.

[Featureless]

Speed loaders like this

https://www.maglula.com/product/m4-ar15-5-56-223-striplula/

don't 'increase the rate of fire'
they increase the speed of reloading magazines.

and they work great by the way. I'll typically load loose 5.56 rounds into stripper clips before I go to the range. With that tool I can slam 10rds at a time into magazines.

[bohoki]

i got a cammega loader for an ak and one of them metal zip loaders from i think rdc works on ar-15 and mini 14

not sure what law they are covered under would they be any different than a speedloader for a revolver?

[Dvrjon]

Quora at Its Best. Second post (although the first post is equally odd). No citations; no references. They are confused about the prohibited persons issue.

16150. (a) As used in this part, except in subdivision (a) of Section 30305 and in Section 30306, "ammunition" means one or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case, propellant, and with one or more projectiles. "Ammunition" does not include blanks.

(b) As used in subdivision (a) of Section 30305 and in Section 30306, "ammunition" includes, but is not limited to, any bullet, cartridge, magazine, clip, speed loader, autoloader, ammunition feeding device, or projectile capable of being fired from a firearm with a deadly consequence. ?Ammunition? does not include blanks.

(c) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2020.

///////

30305.
(a) (1) No person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29900) of Division 9 of this title, or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall own, possess, or have under custody or control, any ammunition or reloaded ammunition.

30306.
(a) Any person, corporation, firm, or other business enterprise who supplies, delivers, sells, or gives possession or control of, any ammunition to any person who he or she knows or using reasonable care should know is prohibited from owning, possessing, or having under custody or control, any ammunition or reloaded ammunition pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 30305, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

But their Quora post counts are up.

[BearCreekRoad]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of the fact that for for felons (and other prohibited individuals) bullets, speed loaders, stripper clips and such are counted as ammo. Learned something new. Not really relevant for those of us that haven't been convicted of a felony though.