D.C. Court Strikes Down High-Capacity Magazine Ban

A three-judge panel from the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruled on March 5, 2026, that the local law banning gun magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds is unconstitutional. This decision reversed the criminal conviction of Tyree Benson, who was arrested in 2022 for possessing an unregistered 9-millimeter handgun with a 30-round magazine. The ruling allows for the possibility of an appeal to the Supreme Court or a reconsideration by a larger panel of the local appeals court. It is important to note that this ruling does not affect the enforcement of gun laws in other jurisdictions.

New York Times

The ruling comes in the context of conflicting decisions regarding gun magazine regulations. Previously, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the constitutionality of the same magazine ban, creating a legal inconsistency. Judge Joshua Deahl, who authored the majority opinion, cited Supreme Court precedent, particularly the 2022 ruling in *New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen*, which emphasized historical tradition as a standard for firearm regulations. Deahl noted that large-capacity magazines are "arms in common and ubiquitous use," which influenced the panel's decision.

New York Times

Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, dissenting from the majority opinion, argued that the ruling misapplied the new legal standard. She contended that Benson had not demonstrated that his weapon was in "common use for lawful purposes," asserting that magazines with 30 rounds or more are "dangerous and unusual." This dissent highlights the ongoing debate over the interpretation of gun rights and regulations.

New York Times

The ruling reflects a broader trend initiated during the Trump administration aimed at relaxing stringent local gun laws in Washington, D.C., which are among the strictest in the United States. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, had previously directed federal prosecutors to refrain from enforcing the city's ban on high-capacity magazines. Supporters of expanded gun rights have praised the ruling, attributing its success to the Trump administration's influence on the Justice Department, which had shifted its stance under President Biden, advocating for the upholding of the magazine ban.

New York Times

The divergence between the local court's ruling and the federal appeals court's previous decision raises questions about the future of gun regulations in D.C. The interaction between these rulings remains unclear, and it is uncertain how the District of Columbia will proceed in light of this legal conflict.

New York Times

• “We are not blind to the blight of gun violence in this country and the horrors it visits on our citizenry,” — Judge Joshua Deahl

New York Times

• “ Magazines with 30 rounds or more, she wrote, ”are instead dangerous and unusual.” — Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby

New York Times