NSSF Report Reveals Firearm Magazines with Capacity Over 10 Rounds is National
Standard
Daphane Cassidy
April 12, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. - NSSF�, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, revealed in a
report that detachable magazines with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds are the
overwhelming standard for firearm owners in the United States. The report, 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.
The Detachable Magazine Report (1990-2021) confirms what NSSF has known - that
the national standard for magazine capacity for America's gun owners is greater
than 10 rounds. 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 data establishes that law-abiding gun owners overwhelming choose magazines
that have a capacity to hold more than ten rounds for lawful purposes including
self-defense, target shooting and hunting," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior
Vice President & General Counsel.
About 46 percent of the magazines estimated in this study are rifle magazines
with 30+ round capacity. The percentage of detachable magazines at 11+ capacity
is about 55 percent of total pistol magazines. The amount of 10 and below
capacity rifle magazines supplied from the manufacturer is over one and a half
times the amount of 30+ capacity rifle magazines. The consumer market totals of
rifle magazines show 30+ capacity magazines, over 413 million, are over 30 times
the amount available than 10 and below capacity rifle magazines, about 13
million.
Further examination of the data proves that of the 717,900,000 detachable
magazines for pistols and rifles with a capacity greater than 10 rounds,
209,145,000 pistol magazines are in circulation from combined sales through
firearm manufacturers (those magazines included with the firearm) and
aftermarket production. Rifle magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds
accounted for 508,755,000 and rifle magazines with a capacity of 30 rounds or
greater totaled an estimated 448,369,000 from combined sale of those included
with a firearm at sale and the aftermarket.
Just 245,872,000 pistol and rifle magazines with a capacity of 10 rounds or less
are in circulation when accounting for the magazines included with a firearm
from the manufacturer and the aftermarket.
https://www.nssf.org/articles/nssf-report-10-round-magazine-is-national-standard/
NSSF Report Reveals Firearm Magazines with Capacity Over 10 Rounds is National Standard