The City of Los Angeles wants to ban the sale of high capacity magazines, like the one used in the Tucson shootings that killed six people and injured 13 others, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). The City Council passed a motion Monday to endorse a federal bill that would attempt to get high-capacity ammunition magazines out of the hands of criminals across the country.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck (left) illustrated the dangers of high capacity magazines, and was joined by City Councilmember Paul Koretz and Council President Eric Garcetti. (photo by Rafael Guerrero)

Council President Eric Garcetti, 13th District, was joined by Councilmember Paul Koretz, 5th District, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck and members of Women Against Gun Violence and the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence at a press conference Wednesday to call on Congress to pass H.R. 308, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) on Jan. 18 that would ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

“The recent Tucson shootings are an example of the damage that can be done when extreme weaponry is available over the counter,” Garcetti said.

State law currently prohibits the sale of large capacity magazines, but there is no law against possessing them. The loophole allows people to still possess the magazines if they are purchased in another state.

“We are affected by states around us who do not have gun laws,” Beck said. “That is why a federal law is so important.”

Koretz added that high capacity magazines have no place in civilian hands and are a threat to the public.

“High capacity magazines are a threat to our public safety heroes as well as to our public at large,” Koretz said. “Smaller magazines mean a shooter has to reload more frequently.”

Jared Loughner, the gunman responsible for the tragedy in Tucson, was using a high capacity magazine and was not apprehended until he stopped to reload.

McCarthy was also affected by gun violence involving high capacity magazines. Her husband was killed in the 1996 Long Island Commuter Railway shooting by a gunman who had a 15-round magazine loaded in his gun. Six people were killed and 19 people were injured, including her son. That shooter was also apprehended when he stopped to reload.

“I don’t think high capacity magazines have any place in our civilized society,” said Suzanne Verge of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Brady Campaign. “We should limit bullets to 10 per magazine and now is the time for dialogue following the Tucson shootings.”

LAPD officer Cleon Joseph patrolled the streets of Los Angeles for two years and worked in the gang unit for another two years. He stressed the importance of taking the magazines off the streets.

“It’s important because anytime you have a tactical advantage over an armed suspect is always a good thing,” Joseph said.

The bill was referred to the Committee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Feb. 7. Once the committee files its report on the bill, it will go to the full House of Representatives for a vote.

Garcetti, Beck and Koretz all said they would like to do more to take the magazines off the streets than simply banning their sale, but admitted organizations like the National Rifle Association are very powerful and make it difficult to pass tougher laws.

“You have to take gradual steps,” Koretz said. “You can’t always get what you want, but every step in the right direction is better than nothing.”