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9th Circuit Upholds California Ban on Large-Capacity Gun Magazines

The ruling aligns with historical firearm regulations, while a dissenting judge’s unprecedented video critique raises questions about judicial norms.

U.S. Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke appears in a video released by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as part of his dissent from a ruling upholding California's ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, in California, U.S., in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on March 20, 2025. 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals/Handout via REUTERS
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Overview

  • The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 to uphold California's ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds, citing consistency with the Second Amendment and historical firearm regulations.
  • Judge Lawrence VanDyke issued an 18-minute YouTube video dissent, demonstrating firearms and criticizing the majority's reasoning as detached from practical firearm use.
  • The majority opinion argued that large-capacity magazines are not essential for self-defense and exacerbate harm in mass shootings by reducing opportunities to pause and intervene.
  • Judge VanDyke's video dissent has been criticized by colleagues for introducing facts outside the case record and for acting as an unapproved expert witness.
  • Gun rights advocates, including the California Rifle & Pistol Association, plan to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, citing violations of the Second Amendment under the 2022 Bruen precedent.