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Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:37 pm
by rbftfire
I apologize if this has been covered somewhere else. I've done several searches and haven't found anything good to go on.

I know that high capacity magazines are not an issue but there are many in circulation that have something like "For Law Enforcement and Military Use Only" etched on them. Is this a problem for the average non-military, non-LEO to have?

I assume it is probably not an issue but I would like to know and if you have any reference to where it is covered by the law, that would be great.

Thanks.

Re: Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:43 pm
by Excaliber
rbftfire wrote:I apologize if this has been covered somewhere else. I've done several searches and haven't found anything good to go on.

I know that high capacity magazines are not an issue but there are many in circulation that have something like "For Law Enforcement and Military Use Only" etched on them. Is this a problem for the average non-military, non-LEO to have?

I assume it is probably not an issue but I would like to know and if you have any reference to where it is covered by the law, that would be great.

Thanks.
Lots of these were made during the days of the Clinton "Assault Weapon Ban" which has now expired.

In Texas there aren't any possession restrictions on high cap magazines, but that's not true in some benighted states like California. If you plan to travel with them, you'd be wise to check the latest laws before crossing state lines.

EDIT: It's not the printed wording that makes them illegal in those states, it's the round count.

IANAL.

Re: Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:11 pm
by Chemist45
Soon they will be collector's items and command a premium!

Re: Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:15 pm
by lowonair
i read a news article about a guy being arrested for having them. this was not texas, but the state didn't have restrictions either. they shouldn't be a problem.

Re: Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:46 pm
by rbftfire
Thanks for the responses. I see no reason that they should be a problem since they are exactly the same as the other high capacity magazines that are legal. I just hope to find something addressing the issue so that I am "armed" with a legitimate argument if there is an issue. I'm looking at purchasing a really nice Beretta with four magazines and one of them has the stamp on it. I'd like to have something concrete before buying it.

Re: Question about high cap magazine

Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:05 pm
by mbw
How about this from the ATF web site-

Q: Are SAWs and LCAFDs marked “Restricted law enforcement/government use only” or “For export only” now legal to sell to civilians in the United States?

Yes. SAWs and LCAFDs are no longer prohibited. Therefore, firearms with the restrictive markings are legal to transfer to civilians in the United States, and it is legal for non-prohibited civilians to possess them. All civilians may possess LCAFDs.

A SAW is - Semi-automatic Assault Weapon.

A LCAFD is -Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device. A high cap magazine.