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Columbus gun owners have until July 1 to get rid of high-capacity magazines

While city leaders call the ban on higher magazines common sense, some gun owners say it won't make a difference on crime.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus gun owners have until July 1 to get rid of 30 or more round magazines to comply with a new city ordinance.

This week council passed legislation to clarify the ordinance that was passed in December as a part of the council's so-called "common sense gun laws."

While city leaders call the ban on higher magazines common sense, some gun owners say it won't make a difference on crime.

“The reality is when you look around, not just Columbus, the state of Ohio and even the U.S., people are clamoring for common sense steps forward for us to protect constitutional rights and the Second Amendment, but also do something about mass shootings, about the rising gun violence,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.

As a part of a three-pronged approach aimed at decreasing violence, Columbus city leaders made it illegal to have 30 or more round magazines. Gun owners have a grace period until July 1 to get rid of the higher-capacity magazines.

“I think this ban in conjunction with making it easier for prosecutors to prosecute selling guns to criminals, safe storage, I think collectively it will make a difference,” Klein argued.

“We don't expect this to be the end-all cure-all to end gun violence in the city, but we have to do something,” said Columbus City Councilmember Shayla Favor.

Eric Delbert, the owner of L.E.P.D. Firearms & Range, argues this measure won't work.

“If 30 is bad, 29 must be OK,” Delbert said. “There is no magic about a 30-round magazine. It is a standard capacity magazine."

Klein explained why the city chose 30 rounds.

“Looking at the size of clips could be and looking at previous case law around the United States, we felt comfortable with the number 30.”

Delbert explains his shop, which is just outside of city limits, will store the magazines for gun owners until the ordinance is changed.

“Overnight, we have taken law abiding citizens who bought an item legally and turned them into a criminal," Delbert said.

Anyone who violates the ordinance could be sentenced to 180 days in jail without a work release.

The ordinance says gun owners can turn their magazines into the police department, gun shops outside of city limits or sell them legally.

To read the ordinance, click here.

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