Americans own at least 717 million ammunition magazines with more than a 10-round capacity, according to a report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
“Detachable magazines with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds are the overwhelming standard for firearm owners in the United States,” reads a social media post from NSSF. “This new Detachable Magazine Report (1990-2021), which surveyed 30-plus years of detachable magazine production and distribution, demonstrated that of the conservatively estimated 963,772,000 detachable magazines supplied from a firearm manufacturer and in the aftermarket, at least 717,900,000 have a capacity exceeding 10 rounds, the limit some states place for lawful magazine possession.”
“With nearly 1 billion detachable magazines in circulation, for both rifles and pistols, they are unquestionably commonly-owned and commonly-used for lawful firearm use, including recreational target shooting, hunting and self-defense. They are ‘arms’ within the meaning of the Second Amendment. Detachable magazines are integral to the design of, and necessary for the proper functioning of, today’s modern semi-automatic firearms,” the post continued.
Of the 963 million magazines produced and part of the commercial market between 1990 and 2021, about 74%, or 717 million magazines, “have a capacity of 11+ rounds,” the NSSF report states.
Many of the 11-plus magazine capacities are rifle magazines. “About 46 percent of the magazines estimated in this study are rifle magazines with 30+ round capacity.
The report concluded that “[c]onsumer preferences of 11+ capacity magazines are reflected in the manufacturing activity of the firearm industry. Changes in legislation outlawing or granting access to these magazines may change overall market proportions but the preference to have more ammunition available is clear.”
Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris referred to Americans who openly carry firearms as “extremists.”
Her remarks came as she criticized the increasing number of states that have passed laws allowing individuals to openly carry guns without the need for permits or background checks.
“These extremists dare claim to be for life, but instead of acting to save lives from gun violence, extremists state by state made it legal to open carry a gun without even a permit or background checks,” Harris stated, emphasizing her disappointment with the recent legislative developments.
