The issue of magazine restrictions, an integral part of firearm control measures, is one that varies greatly across U.S. states. These restrictions aim to limit the capacity of ammunition feeding devices attached to repeating firearms, which, in many cases, have been involved in mass shootings with devastating consequences. Ranging in capacity from ten rounds upward, these magazines, often tagged 'large-capacity' or 'high-capacity' magazines, essentially enable a shooter to fire numerous rounds without pausing to reload, thereby intensifying the potential harm inflicted during a shooting incident.
Every state in the U.S. mandates its own gun laws, contributing to the plethora of regulations seen across the nation. Some states have banned high-capacity magazines following the expiration of the federal ban in 2004, while other states have chosen to regulate them with less stringent measures. This dataset provides a succinct snapshot of the varying stances each state has taken on this contentious issue.
Key findings from the data include: