Do magazine capacity limitations save lives, or doom them?
We’ve discussed firearms restrictions a lot recently with regard to New York’s SAFE Act, which, among other things restricts magazine capacity. The original proposal included a 7 round magazine capacity limit for handguns, but in December of 2013, the provision was deemed unconstitutional and was struck from the law. However, New York, as in Connecticut, D.C., California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, already has a magazine capacity of ten rounds in effect (for a full list of magazine capacity restrictions by state, click here). California has banned “high capacity feeding devices” effective July, 2017.
Casual shooters and range plinkers may not be effected by restrictions such as these beyond a minor inconvenience of more frequent reloading, but magazine capacity could pose a dangerous risk to concealed carriers.
Consider this news story out of Buffalo, NY. According to the report, a pizza delivery man was attempting to make a delivery when he was attacked by a group of four young males. In a robbery attempt, the men allegedly began striking the delivery man with an unknown blunt object. The report states that, in an effort to defend himself, the delivery man drew his [legal] concealed carry pistol and began firing upon his assailants. Apparently, only one of the attackers was hit and is currently in police custody. The other three fled the scene and have yet to be detained.
In this instance, the victim was fortunate and successfully frightened off multiple assailants without killing anyone. But what if his attackers had been less fearful and more determined? If, instead of running off, the group of youths retaliated by intensifying the beating they were doling to the lone delivery man, would ten rounds, (2 or 3 rounds per “bad guy”) have been enough to save the victim’s life?
Featured image composite courtesy of contributor Sirachai via freedigitalphotos.net
