(a) Definitions.
(1) “LARGE-CAPACITY MAGAZINE” means any detachable ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include any of the following:
(i) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds.
(ii) A .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.
(iii) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.
(b) Prohibition on Possession of Large-Capacity Magazines.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to possess any large-capacity magazine, except as otherwise authorized by law, whether assembled or disassembled.
(2) Any person who, prior to the effective date of this article, was legally in possession of a large- capacity magazine shall have 60 days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution:
(i) Remove the large-capacity magazine from the City of Los Angeles;
(ii) Surrender the large-capacity magazine to the Los Angeles Police Department for destruction;
(iii) Sell or transfer the large-capacity magazine lawfully in accordance with Section 32410 of the California Penal Code.
(c) Exemptions. The provisions of Subsection (b) shall not apply to the following:
(1) Any government officer, agent, or employee, member of the armed forces of the United States, or peace officer, to the extent that such person is otherwise authorized by their respective federal, state, county, or city law enforcement or military agency to possess a large-capacity magazine for use in accordance with the law enforcement policy of the agency; (Amended by Ord. No. 184,007, Eff. 1/26/16.)
(2) A person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915 of the California Penal Code;
(3) A gunsmith for the purpose of maintenance, repair or modification of the large-capacity magazine;
(4) Any entity that operates an armored vehicle business pursuant to the laws of the state, and an authorized employee of such entity, while in the course and scope of their employment for purposes that pertain to the entity’s armored vehicle business;
(5) Any person, corporation or other entity that manufactures the large-capacity magazine for a person mentioned in Subdivision (1), or for export pursuant to applicable federal regulations;
(6) Any person using the large-capacity magazine solely as a prop for a motion picture, television or video production;
(7) Any holder of a special weapons permit issued pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 18900, 31000, 32650, 32700-32720, or 33300;
(8) Any person issued a permit pursuant to California Penal Code Section 32315 by the Department of Justice upon a showing of good cause for the possession, transportation or sale of large- capacity magazines between a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915 of the California Penal Code, and an out-of-state client, when those activities are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the permit;
(9) Any federal, state or local historical society, museum or institutional collection which is open to the public, provided that the large-capacity magazine is properly housed, secured from unauthorized handling and unloaded;
(10) Any person who finds the large-capacity magazine, if the person is not prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition pursuant to federal or state law, and the person possesses the large- capacity magazine no longer than is necessary to deliver or transport the same to a law enforcement agency for that agency’s disposition according to the law;
(11) A forensic laboratory or any authorized agent or employee thereof in the course and scope of their authorized activities;
(12) Any person in the business of selling or transferring large-capacity magazines in accordance with California Penal Code Section 32310 who is in possession of a large-capacity magazine solely for the purpose of doing so; or
(13) Any person lawfully in possession of a firearm that the person obtained prior to January 1, 2000 if no magazine that holds 10 or less rounds of ammunition is compatible with that firearm and the person possesses the large-capacity magazine solely for use with that firearm.
(14) Any qualified retired peace officer, as defined by Section 926C of Title 18 of the United States Code, who has a valid Carry Concealed Weapons endorsement, license or permit. (Added by Ord. No. 184,007, Eff. 1/26/16.)
(15) Any qualified reserve peace officer, as defined by California Penal Code Section 830.6, to the extent that such person is otherwise authorized by their respective state, county, or city law enforcement agency to possess a large-capacity magazine for use in accordance with the law enforcement policy of the agency. (Added by Ord. No. 184,007, Eff. 1/26/16.)
(d) Penalty. Violation of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor.
(e) This Section shall expire on July 1, 2017, unless the City Council acts by ordinance to amend this Section to extend its effective period. (Added by Ord. No. 184,767, Eff. 4/4/17.)
(f) Severability. If any provision of this ordinance is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, that invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions which can be implemented without the invalid provisions, and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable. (Renumbered by Ord. No. 184,767, Eff. 4/4/17.)