Bill bans high capacity gun magazines

Four democratic legislators are calling on their colleagues to pass their bill banning high-capacity gun magazines holding more than 10 rounds.

Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Ted Deutch (D-FL), and Dina Titus (D-NV) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are urging passage of the Keep Americans Safe Act, which was initially introduced in February, in the wake of recent mass shootings in Gilroy, Calif., El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

“High-capacity magazines are used for one sole purpose: to maximize casualties,” Deutch said. “Tragically, that’s why these magazines are used so frequently in mass shootings. We can reduce the magnitude of death and injury caused in mass shootings while still respecting law-abiding gun owners. It’s time to move on this common-sense legislation.”

The legislation would reinstate the ban on the sale, transfer or possession of magazines holding more than 10 rounds, but would not apply to high-capacity magazines already legally owned before the bill is enacted and would not apply to military or law enforcement officers using high-capacity magazines in their official capacity.

“Yet again, we are grieving the tragic loss of life due to multiple mass shootings,” DeGette said. “Thoughts and prayers are not enough. It’s past time for Congress to act on gun safety measures. One of the most important things we can do, right now, is ban these high-capacity magazines that hold more than ten rounds. There is no legitimate reason for any citizen to need a high-capacity magazine.”