Why are people buying up mags that you probably won't be able to use?

[sleepyone]

I was not a shooter or hunter when the first ban took place, so I'm not sure how it worked. If you already owned hi-cap mags could you continue to use them? Was it illegal to use them for CCW weapons or home protection but you could have them for hunting, range use, or competition? The reason I ask is if there is a new ban on high-cap mags and it is illegal to use them why in the heck are people going crazy buying them up?

I have two M&P .40s with 15 round mags. I actually just ordered two extra mags for them yesterday to have as spares; not because of any potential ban. Will it be illegal to even possess/use them in the future?

It just seems crazy to buy 5, 10, 20 or 100 magazines that you can't use. I mean if people want them in case the ban is lifted like last time then you will be able to buy them again and would not have needed to stock up in the first place. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[GiorgioG]

I think most people assume that these magazines will be grandfathered in just like in the previous AWB.

 

[sleepyone]

So will I have to prove I came into possession of the high-cap magazine prior to the ban, or since they aren't being sold anymore, it will be assumed I bought them preban?

 

[igpoobah]

Anything made after the ban will be marked as such.

 

[smalls]

Everything you had was grandfathered in during the last AWB.

We won't know what a new AWB will entail until/if one passes, but confiscation of mags seems very unlikely, it would cost the government a fortune to do, and I doubt it would pass if it involved confiscation of property.

 

[maudbid]

If it ever comes to the time when the purpose of the second amendment must be exercised, you will be glad you have the proper tools, laws won"t matter.

 

[wideym]

Ever since the 94' AWB ended, if I saw a good price on mags for guns I though I might buy in the future, I bought a dozen. It's actually worked out on several guns I've bought, although I still don't have a use for the Uzi, Sten, Swedish K, Thompson, and 6.8 SPC mags I bought on sale, yet.

The AWB kept me from buying a Glock for years, simply because I wanted full capacity mags and would'nt pay $60-100 a piece for them. Now though I have 6 Glocks and at least 10 full capacity mags for each.

 

[Skylerbone]

They never marked magazines during the ban, they simply restricted manufacturers to specific capacities. Those magazines produced before the ban went into effect were legal to sell until supplies were exhausted.

 

[smalls]

They never marked magazines during the ban, they simply restricted manufacturers to specific capacities. Those magazines produced before the ban went into effect were legal to sell until supplies were exhausted.

They were still allowed to cater to LEO, and were marked LEO ONLY.

Would be a real PITA to do do again, since do many of those are in circulation.

 

[crazy-mp]

They never marked magazines during the ban, they simply restricted manufacturers to specific capacities. Those magazines produced before the ban went into effect were legal to sell until supplies were exhausted.

That's funny I have a bunch of magazines that say "Restricted Gov/LE use only" and usually a month/year stamped on them. Guess I have some rare MP5, M14 and M16 mags.

 

[RCArms.com]

If there is new legislation enacted and they grandfather prior possession mags, the manufacturers will have to mark and date code new post-ban production for LEO/Mil only and private party possession will be verboten.

 

[gc70]

Why are people buying up mags that you probably won't be able to use?

The 1994 AWB prohibited the sale to members of the public of new magazines produced after the effective date of the ban. Possession, use, and transfers of pre-ban magazines were not limited.

One reason to buy mags would be the belief that a new ban would not prohibit possession, so buy now while you still can.

Another reason to buy mags would be the belief that a new ban would not prohibit transfers of existing mags; pre-ban mags sold at several multiples of their original prices during the ban years.

 

[evan price]

Why? Because sheep follow the herd. Then they get shorn. It's why they are sheep.

 

[Pilot]

I have no problem with people stocking up on standard capacity magazines prior to a possible ban.

 

[Tirod]

Really, the panic buying is just that. People who previously had no plan to do so are reacting to the news of something that they think will happen.

It's not a very good example of how they perceive their political power. They are caving in before there is even a vote, and spending their money (or increasing their debt load) rather than send a contribution to the organizations most capable of representing gun owners rights.

We've been down this road before, and we have a track record that it really does no good. It's entirely the point that the pre ban mags were readily available to many even after the AWB. There was really nothing gained at all.

There should be NO question of confiscation at all. That rule of law has already been thru the courts because of the effort in New Orleans during Katrina. The NRA stopped it dead in it's tracks then, and speculation it could be done again is pretty uninformed.

I've seen a lot of comments on this lately, and I realized that a lot of new shooters have gotten into the sport since the AWB was repealed. Time to sharpen up, students, the rule of law, BATF regulations, and informed discourse is now a requirement. It's the only way to combat the falsehoods and outright lies the other side keeps spreading.

If you think "they" might be able to knock on your door and take your guns and magazines, then some study into exactly why we have the 2d Amendment is in order. That is EXACTLY what did happen during the Revolutionary War, and why we still oppose it.

However, if "everyone" thinks they can get away with it, of course, then they will just go ahead and try. They already won before the first truck is started up.

I realize some of us older crusty guys might sound a bit hard line, but consider that we have already been thru this before, and the experience has made us go thru a lot of thought distilling it down to it's essence. We're pretty much settled on the issue, and we are not going to change. Once again we will find out what our elected representatives are really capable of doing, not the campaign trail promises so freely handed out.

 

[MrTwigg]

Why are people buying up mags that you probably won't be able to use?

Some will not go quietly as the Republic fades.

 

[Boostedtwo]

I doubt the government is going to confiscate anything, so if you already have 30rd mags then you can keep them, just probably wont be able to buy them if they ban them.

 

[JVaughn]

If the time comes that you need to use them, you won't be afriad you government will imprision you for violating the law, you will be afraid they will kill you. When that time comes, you will be able to use anything you collected previously, free of the worry that it is illegal.

Even if it never comes to that, you may need them in a home invasion. If you have kids and other family to protect, you won't be worrying about legality then either.

 

[Skylerbone]

Say what you will about the past, the current Court and the potential for several more nominees in the near future may test a lot of what we think we know.

I thought it was understood that military and LEA were exempt from such bans but to clarify the snark (thanks High Roaders) yes, those high capacity magazines not intended for the consumer market during the ban were marked, none manufactured before or after were marked, confiscated or otherwise restricted in those States that did not previously or subsequently restrict magazine capacity. Even then some exceptions apply.

 

[sleepyone]

Time to sharpen up, students, the rule of law, BATF regulations, and informed discourse is now a requirement. It's the only way to combat the falsehoods and outright lies the other side keeps spreading.

Excellent advice, Tirod. I'll have to admit my lack of knowledge as it pertains to past and current gun laws and legislation. Time is much better spent reading than standing in line or sitting in your car at a gun show getting spun up on the "impending doom" and then spending $60 for a $15 magazine and then getting all spun up again on how you are getting screwed because you voluntarily shelled out the money for it.

What are some good books or online resources available with which to arm ourselves intellectually?

 

[HOWARD J]

I picked mine up just before Clinton banned them.
They don't get any use as the ranges I go to only allow 6 rds in weapon

 

[Skylerbone]

Arming yourself with facts is great but intellectual arguments will never trump a majority with an agenda. Like Mr. Romney, I've conceded a certain percentage of the population simply won't hear what there is to say whether it speaks to their best interests, makes sense and is proven fact. Concentrating on those receptive to change, those who are wondering if a ban serves no purpose and teaching them responsible firearm ownership is key.

We are a numbers game to most politicians. Increasing our numbers gives them freedom to vote for us or it gives us freedom to vote against them.

 

[gym]

For those who weren't in the shooting scene last time we had a ban. You were allowed to buy pre ban mags. They were 3 times as much as the 10 rounders, and sold at all the gun shows. I had bought 4 -13 round mags fo my p13, at the time. And Glock mags also. They were allowed to be sold and used as long as they were made prior to when the law was passed. This is really a stupid way of doing things, and I doubt they will do it that way if there is a ban again. just my 2 cents.
more than likelly ,you will be limited to 10 rounds, or 9 and 1 in the pipe. My glock 30came with 3- 9 round mags during that time. My clock 23 had come with 13 round mags as it was a pre ban model. I remember paying like $650 for it almost 18 years ago. So who knows what they may do, Persolally I don't think they will grandfather in the AR mags, if anything they will limit them to 10 rounds, same with AK.
But this makes no sense, as the mags are still out there, so any mad man or sane person can still use them. It is very confusing to think how this would do any good.
To me , unless they outright say you can no longer own these guns, "which won't work", it's a waste of time.
I don't see people turning in guns they just bought, or any guns they may have. And since most were purchased with no registration how would they know. I once owned an AK and traded it because I never shot it,I traded it for a 1911, and traded that for a 40 springfield, Now I sold that one for another pistol, so how does this make any sense?

 

[glove]

Everything you had was grandfathered in during the last AWB.

We won't know what a new AWB will entail until/if one passes, but confiscation of mags seems very unlikely, it would cost the government a fortune to do, and I doubt it would pass if it involved confiscation of property.

With the way this government is throwing around trillions of dollars what would a few billion mean to them?

 

[jetboater]

I believe California allows folks to continue to own pre-ban 10+ round magazines but not sell, loan, or give them to anyone else (maybe someone from CA can chime in).
Wonder if this is a possibility for us all?