Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: The 10-round magazine fantasy [View all]Bazinga
(331 posts)There is no more important characteristic in a weapon than reliability. The factory 15-round magazines I use to feed my Glock are extensively tested in all imaginable conditions and proven to function beyond doubt. The 10-round mags for Californians and others not quite as well vetted, and 7-round mags for New Yorkers don't even exist. Furthermore, the type of malfunction typically caused by a faulty magazine is known as a type-3 or double-feed malfunction and is the most complicated to clear. It is this type of malfunction that was likely experienced by Loughner in Tucson and Holmes in Aurora.
On a good day of practice in my basement with dummy rounds. I can clear a type-3 in about 3.5 seconds. In a simulated stress situation (ie under the clock during an IDPA competition) I've never had to, but I wouldn't count on anything less than 7. In fact, when I took my defensive handgun course, I was taught that it would be faster to go to a back-up gun than clear a type-3, and I agree.
Under a mag capacity limit, there would necessarily be more reloads and more malfunction clearances. Both of these are much more difficult to perform under duress. The criminal may or may not be under duress when he has to perform these operations, the law-abiding victim, by definition, will always be under duress. A criminal may or may not be using compliant magazines as he is a criminal, the law-abiding citizen, by definition, will always be using compliant magazines. And finally, the criminal is much more likely than the law-abiding citizen to carry a back-up weapon in case of malfunction (this was exactly the case in Aurora when Holmes's AR jammed because of his extended capacity magazine and he switched to his shotgun killing and injuring many more people).
All of this adds up to a disadvantage to victims and an advantage to criminals, and that is something that I can't support.
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