Firearm Laws
& Restrictions
by State
Some states have imposed restrictions on magazines, basepads, and certain firearm accessories — including some that have been ruled or are being challenged as unconstitutional.
It is your responsibility to know your state and local laws before making a purchase from HexCore Mounts. HexCore Mounts is not responsible if you purchase an item you cannot legally possess in your state, county, or city.
This page is a general reference only. Laws change. Always verify with your state's statutes or a licensed attorney before purchasing.
Magazine capacity restrictions are among the most common firearm accessory laws at the state level. As of 2026, fourteen states plus Washington D.C. restrict how many rounds a detachable magazine may hold. The most common limit is 10 rounds, though a few states allow 15 or 17. Thirty-six states have no magazine capacity restrictions.
| State | Limit | Applies To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Strict enforcement. Grandfathered mags from "Freedom Week" 2019 may be legal for those who acquired them at that time. |
| Colorado | 15 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Mags owned before July 1, 2013 are grandfathered with continuous possession. |
| Connecticut | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Pre-ban mags (before April 4, 2013) are grandfathered with registration. |
| Delaware | 17 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | One of the more permissive restricted states. |
| Hawaii | 10 rounds | Handgun only | Rifle magazines not specifically restricted, but "assault pistol" rules apply. |
| Maryland | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Can legally own a 30-round mag, but cannot buy, sell, or transfer inside the state. |
| Massachusetts | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Pre-ban mags (before Sept. 13, 1994) may be possessed but not transferred. |
| New Jersey | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Previously 15 rounds; reduced to 10 in 2018. No grandfathering. |
| New York | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | May not load more than 10 rounds. Magazines must be manufactured after Jan. 15, 2013. |
| Rhode Island | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Ban enacted 2022. |
| Vermont | 10 rds (rifle) / 15 rds (handgun) | Both | Unique split limit — rifles and handguns have different caps. |
| Washington | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | Manufacture, import, distribution, and sale prohibited. Under ongoing litigation as of 2025. |
| DC | 10 rounds | Handgun & Rifle | D.C. Court of Appeals ruled magazine bans unconstitutional (Benson v. United States, March 2026) — status may be in flux. |
| Oregon | 10 rounds (pending) | Handgun & Rifle | Measure 114 passed in 2022, currently under litigation. Not fully in effect as of early 2026. Monitor carefully. |
| All other states | No limit | — | 36 states have no magazine capacity restrictions. |
Magazine basepads and extensions can increase the round count of a magazine — which means they fall directly under magazine capacity laws in restricted states. In any state with a magazine capacity limit, adding a basepad that pushes a magazine over that limit is illegal.
What to Check Before Buying
- Know your magazine's current capacity — what is the round count with the stock baseplate installed?
- Know your state's limit — check the table above and verify against your state's current statutes
- Check local city/county ordinances — some cities (like Boulder, CO — 10-round limit) are stricter than their state
- Grandfathered magazines — even if your magazine was grandfathered, adding capacity may void that protection in some states
- When in doubt, consult an attorney — magazine law is complex and frequently litigated
Ten states and the District of Columbia currently have some form of assault weapon ban in effect. These laws typically restrict semi-automatic rifles, pistols, or shotguns with certain features — such as detachable magazines combined with pistol grips, folding stocks, flash suppressors, or threaded barrels. Definitions vary significantly by state.
| State | Status | First Enacted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Active | 1989 | One of the strictest. Specific models + feature-based restrictions. Ongoing legal challenges. |
| Connecticut | Active | 1993 | Feature-based ban. Pre-ban firearms may be registered and retained. |
| Colorado | Effective Aug 2026 | 2025 (SB25-003) | Bans manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale of specified semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and gas-operated handguns with detachable magazines. |
| Delaware | Active | 2022 | Bans manufacture, sale, and possession of defined assault weapons. |
| Hawaii | Active | Pre-1994 | "Assault pistols" (semi-auto with detachable mag + 2+ features) prohibited. |
| Maryland | Active | Pre-1994 | Specific model list + feature-based. AR-15 variants covered under 2013 Firearms Safety Act. |
| Massachusetts | Active | Pre-1994 | Mirrors 1994 federal definitions. AG enforcement notices expanded scope. |
| New Jersey | Active | 1990 | Under 3rd Circuit challenge as of Oct. 2025. Lower court found AR-15 ban unconstitutional. |
| New York | Active | Pre-1994 | SAFE Act (2013) expanded restrictions. One-feature test for semi-auto rifles with detachable mag. |
| Rhode Island | Effective Jul 2026 | 2025 (S 359) | Signed into law. Grandfathers existing ownership, but subsequent transfer is restricted. |
| Washington | Active | Expanded 2023 | Sale and manufacture prohibited. Import and transfer also restricted. |
| DC | Active | Long-standing | DOJ filed suit against DC in Dec. 2025 challenging the semi-auto rifle ban. Status evolving. |
Suppressors (also called silencers) are regulated at the federal level under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and at the state level. As of 2026, 42 states allow civilian suppressor ownership with NFA compliance. Eight states plus D.C. maintain complete civilian bans.
States With Complete Suppressor Bans
As of 2025, 29 states allow permitless (constitutional) carry — meaning eligible residents can carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The remaining states require a Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) with varying training and background check requirements.
Key Concealed Carry Categories
The laws that apply to you depend on which state you are physically in — not the state that issued your permit.
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 (H.R. 38) was introduced in the 119th Congress and would allow holders of a valid state permit to carry in any other state. As of March 2026, it has not been passed into law.
↑ Back to topThe Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986 provides some interstate travel protections — but they are limited and do not apply to all situations. Understanding what FOPA covers (and doesn't) is critical before traveling across state lines with a firearm.
FOPA Safe Passage — What It Covers
- Unloaded firearm — the firearm must be unloaded during transport
- Locked container — stored in a locked hard-sided case, not readily accessible
- Direct travel — you must be traveling from a state where possession is legal to another state where possession is legal
- Not applicable to extended stays — stopping for an extended time may void FOPA protections in some states
Air Travel
- TSA rules — firearms must be unloaded, in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in
- Ammunition — must be in original packaging or a container designed for that ammunition
- Destination laws still apply — flying into a state with magazine restrictions means your magazines must comply with that state's laws upon arrival
Laws change frequently. The following are authoritative sources to verify current regulations in your state:
