New 'Keep Americans Safe Act' Bans High-Capacity Magazines Over 15 Rounds, Starting Now

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" just changed the rules on high-capacity magazines. The bill, now law, makes it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess any ammunition feeding device—magazines, belts, drums, etc.—that can hold more than 15 rounds. If you legally owned one before today, you're grandfathered in and can keep it. But moving forward, these devices are a no-go for most people.

Magazine Makeover

The core of the law (Section 3) is straight-up banning those high-capacity magazines. It defines "high-capacity" as anything holding over 15 rounds, with a specific carve-out excluding tubular devices for .22 caliber rimfire ammo. So, if you have a standard magazine that holds, say, 10 rounds, you're unaffected. But if you've got a 30-round magazine for your AR-15, that's now illegal to buy, sell, or transfer. For example, a gun store owner can no longer legally stock or sell these magazines, and a private citizen can't legally buy them online or at a gun show.

Who's Exempt?

There are some exceptions (also in Section 3). The ban doesn't apply to government entities, law enforcement (including campus law enforcement at private colleges, as defined in the bill), retired officers meeting specific criteria, or Atomic Energy Act licensees for security. Licensed manufacturers can also still make them for testing, with the Attorney General's authorization. Think of a police officer using a standard-issue firearm with a high-capacity magazine during duty—that's still allowed. But an off-duty officer buying one for personal use? That's now prohibited.

Cracking Down and Buying Back

Section 3 also mandates that any high-capacity magazine manufactured after this law's enactment must have a serial number and date of manufacture. This aims to help track these devices and enforce the ban. Section 5 opens up the use of Byrne grants—federal money usually used for crime prevention—to fund buy-back programs. So, your local police department could potentially use federal funds to pay people to turn in their now-illegal magazines.

Real-World Ripple Effects

This law directly impacts anyone who owns or plans to own a firearm that uses magazines holding over 15 rounds. For example, a competitive shooter who uses high-capacity magazines will need to adjust their equipment. A gun owner who keeps a firearm with a high-capacity magazine for home defense will need to consider alternatives. The law also raises questions for gun manufacturers and retailers. While it doesn't ban the firearms themselves, it significantly limits the types of magazines they can sell. The requirement for serial numbers and manufacturing dates on new magazines adds a new layer of regulation and potential cost.

The Bigger Picture

This law is a direct response to concerns about mass shootings and gun violence. By limiting access to high-capacity magazines, the goal is to reduce the potential lethality of these events. However, it also steps into the ongoing debate about Second Amendment rights and the balance between gun control and individual liberties. The "Severability" clause (Section 6) is also worth noting – it basically says that if one part of the law gets struck down in court, the rest of it still stands. This suggests anticipation of legal challenges, which are common with gun control legislation. The practical challenges include enforcing the ban, defining "large capacity" in a way that avoids loopholes, and measuring the actual impact on gun violence. There's also the question of whether buy-back programs will be effective in removing a significant number of these devices from circulation.