California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting New Jersey's restrictions on large-capacity magazines (LCMs) and assault weapons. The case, Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Attorney General of New Jersey, is currently before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
"Large-capacity magazines and assault weapons have been used in some of the most horrific mass shootings around the country," said Attorney General Bonta. "They allow lone shooters to inflict unspeakable horror in a manner of minutes, spraying devastating rounds into crowds, including some of our most vulnerable community members. Restricting large-capacity magazines and assault weapons helps to prevent and mitigate such tragedies."
California has restricted various aspects related to firearms qualifying as "assault weapons" under state law for three decades. These weapons have specific enhancements that increase their danger to the public and law enforcement and make them more susceptible to criminal misuse. Data shows that assault weapons are disproportionately used in crime relative to their market presence, often involved in mass shootings resulting in extensive injuries.
In California, it has been illegal since 2000 to manufacture, import, or sell LCMs with more than ten rounds of ammunition. Proposition 63, passed by Californians in 2016, further banned possession of LCMs. Firearms equipped with LCMs account for up to 36% of crime guns nationwide and were involved in 60% of mass shootings from 2015 to 2022.
Attorney General Bonta joins his counterparts from the District of Columbia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
A copy of the brief can be found here.