AMMO FREEDOM WEEK UPDATE—BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE BACK
UPDATE 2/6/24: The favorable decision was unsurprisingly STAYED by the Ninth Circuit, so the freedom week is ENDED. Back to the inane ammo background check stuff for now. As of January 21, 2024, federal Judge Benitez threw out the background check requirement for ammo in the case Rhode v. Bonta. Attorney General Bonta has vowed to appeal and in the Ninth Circuit another stay of the decision is possible. California and the Ninth Circuit are more than willing to try and run out the clock until they get slapped down by SCOTUS.
Once upon a time, it was legal for Californians to show up at a gun store and exchange money for ammunition with no questions asked. Then, in 2016 Prop 63, misleadingly called the “Safety for All Act,” introduced the harshest gun and ammo control measures California has seen. Criminals are still obtaining firearms and ammunition while your ability to exercise your constitutional right is being infringed upon, nearly nullifying it.
Previously, in 2009 Kevin de León’s AB 962, which was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, would have banned mail/Internet orders of handgun ammunition and required keeping records of the buyer, including a thumbprint. This law had an injunction placed against it and was eventually found to be unconstitutionally vague in 2011 (Parker v. California). The current restrictions are being litigated in Rhode v. Becerra. Learn more on the Freedom Week page. The magazine Freedom Week injunction did not apply to ammo and does not contain the same “amnesty” provisions.
Previously, in 2009 Kevin de León’s AB 962, which was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, would have banned mail/Internet orders of handgun ammunition and required keeping records of the buyer, including a thumbprint. This law had an injunction placed against it and was eventually found to be unconstitutionally vague in 2011 (Parker v. California). The current restrictions are being litigated in Rhode v. Becerra. Learn more on the Freedom Week page. The magazine Freedom Week injunction did not apply to ammo and does not contain the same “amnesty” provisions.
Highlights
- Everyone buying ammo needs to obtain a background check.
- The $1 standard check applies to those with a LTC or who have bought or registered a gun in California.
- The $19 basic check applies to anyone who does not qualify for the standard check or their information is mismatched.
- You must show a valid California driver license or ID card; if it is not REAL ID compliant, you will need to show additional documents.
- Non-residents may not purchase ammo.
- Non-residents may bring ammo with them for personal use without a background check.
- California residents may not buy ammo out of state and bring it back with them.
- You can buy as much ammo as you want in whatever caliber; you do not need to own a registered gun for the caliber you buy.
- No purchase permits or safety certificates are required, just the background check.
- Ammo ordered online must be shipped to a licensed dealer (no direct shipper to the buyer anymore).
Post Prop 63 ammo purchase restrictions/process
There are no restrictions on the quantity (how much) ammunition you can buy or what caliber (what you buy does not have to match the caliber of any gun you have registered). This does not apply to reloading supplies; powder, bullets, primers, cases, etc.
Note: if you intend on selling ammo (more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period), you need a license (30342). Yes, even if you want to sell your buddy a 1,000 round case of ammo through a gun store following all the proper procedures. If you take ammo you bought in California out of state, you may want to keep a receipt showing it was purchased in California, however it is unlikely that this would become a serious issue or concern. |
Face-to-face transaction required with licensed ammo vendor
30312. (a) (1) Commencing January 1, 2018, the sale of ammunition by any party shall be conducted by or processed through a licensed ammunition vendor. Cannot import ammo bought out of state
30314. (a) Commencing January 1, 2018, a resident of this state shall not bring or transport into this state any ammunition that he or she purchased or otherwise obtained from outside of this state unless he or she first has that ammunition delivered to a licensed ammunition vendor for delivery to that resident pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 30312. You may not buy ammo online and have it shipped to you (it has to ship to a licensed ammunition vendor in California) and you cannot personally import ammo you bought out-of-state. You cannot have ammo ordered online from a California vendor shipped to you in California either; all transactions are face-to-face.
If you are ordering online and shipping to a California licensed ammo vendor, make sure the person/company you are ordering it from will ship to California. |
Will I actually get in trouble for buying ammo out-of-state, such as in Arizona or Nevada? Will those states let me?
Arizona and Nevada do not check residency before selling ammo nor do gun/ammo retailers. Virtually all of them will sell to you, including big box sporting goods stores which still (aside from periods of panic buying) have ammo openly on the shelves. If you are not somehow caught by California authorities, such as by making admissions or getting caught committing another crime, it is highly unlikely you will ever be prosecuted for importing ammo.
Arizona and Nevada do not check residency before selling ammo nor do gun/ammo retailers. Virtually all of them will sell to you, including big box sporting goods stores which still (aside from periods of panic buying) have ammo openly on the shelves. If you are not somehow caught by California authorities, such as by making admissions or getting caught committing another crime, it is highly unlikely you will ever be prosecuted for importing ammo.
Do California cops really surveille out-of-state gun shows and stores?
There have been some incidents of California investigators conducting surveillance on usually Californians already under investigation for other reasons making arrests once the persons cross the state line. Gun shows have been watched by others, including researchers, who reported the California license plates to authorities. It is unclear if these volunteer efforts resulted in prosecutions. Routine surveillance of out-of-state gun/ammo stores is not conducted, as far as we are aware, and typically other states' law enforcement don't do this on behalf of California. Again, most suspects charged in these cases were already being watched for other criminal matters.
There have been some incidents of California investigators conducting surveillance on usually Californians already under investigation for other reasons making arrests once the persons cross the state line. Gun shows have been watched by others, including researchers, who reported the California license plates to authorities. It is unclear if these volunteer efforts resulted in prosecutions. Routine surveillance of out-of-state gun/ammo stores is not conducted, as far as we are aware, and typically other states' law enforcement don't do this on behalf of California. Again, most suspects charged in these cases were already being watched for other criminal matters.
The actual ammunition purchaser eligibility (background) check
For the relevant Penal Code sections granting authority and the procedure for the checks, see 30370 and 30352.
An ammunition vendor is not necessarily also a gun dealer. Stores that don’t sell guns can also sell ammo. The sale has to take place at the actual business, unless at a gun show (30348). Ammo is required to be kept behind the counter (30350).
There are two types of eligibility (background) checks: standard for those that have a gun registered with the state and basic for those who do not have a gun registered with the state.
What information is collected
The following information is collected and reported to the DOJ (30352):
The information reported to the DOJ is stored in a database known as the Ammunition Purchase Records File. The information is confidential and may be used by the DOJ or law enforcement through California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS). Yes, the ammo you buy is now computer searchable by law enforcement (30352(b)). Records are retained by the vendor for five years (30355) and subject to inspection by law enforcement, in connection with an investigation (30357).
Yes, the state will know how much you bought and what caliber. No, there is no restriction on what or how much you can buy. No, the state is not actively tracking people and investigating them on what they buy…yet.
What do I need to bring?
You must provide evidence of your identity (30352(c)); a state-issued photo ID should be sufficient. See the Buying a Gun section for more information about what exactly is acceptable. If your license says “federal limits apply” (not a REAL ID), you will probably need to go through the longer basic background check and to show additional documents.
Ammunition Purchase Authorizations
To determine if the purchaser or transferee is eligible to purchase or possess ammunition, the DOJ cross-references the ammunition purchaser’s name, date of birth, current address, and driver’s license or other government identification number, with the information maintained in the AFS (Automated Firearms System). (30370)
Denials
If the purchaser’s or transferee’s information does not match an AFS entry, the transaction shall be denied. If the purchaser’s or transferee’s information matches an AFS entry, the department shall determine if the purchaser or transferee falls within a class of persons who are prohibited from owning or possessing ammunition by cross-referencing with the Prohibited Armed Persons File. If the purchaser or transferee is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm, the transaction shall be denied. (30370)
An ammunition vendor is not necessarily also a gun dealer. Stores that don’t sell guns can also sell ammo. The sale has to take place at the actual business, unless at a gun show (30348). Ammo is required to be kept behind the counter (30350).
There are two types of eligibility (background) checks: standard for those that have a gun registered with the state and basic for those who do not have a gun registered with the state.
What information is collected
The following information is collected and reported to the DOJ (30352):
- The date of the sale or other transfer.
- The purchaser's or transferee's driver's license or other identification number and the state in which it was issued.
- The brand, type, and amount of ammunition sold or otherwise transferred.
- The purchaser's or transferee's full name and signature.
- The name of the salesperson who processed the sale or other transaction.
- The purchaser's or transferee's full residential address and telephone number.
- The purchaser's or transferee's date of birth.
The information reported to the DOJ is stored in a database known as the Ammunition Purchase Records File. The information is confidential and may be used by the DOJ or law enforcement through California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS). Yes, the ammo you buy is now computer searchable by law enforcement (30352(b)). Records are retained by the vendor for five years (30355) and subject to inspection by law enforcement, in connection with an investigation (30357).
Yes, the state will know how much you bought and what caliber. No, there is no restriction on what or how much you can buy. No, the state is not actively tracking people and investigating them on what they buy…yet.
What do I need to bring?
You must provide evidence of your identity (30352(c)); a state-issued photo ID should be sufficient. See the Buying a Gun section for more information about what exactly is acceptable. If your license says “federal limits apply” (not a REAL ID), you will probably need to go through the longer basic background check and to show additional documents.
Ammunition Purchase Authorizations
To determine if the purchaser or transferee is eligible to purchase or possess ammunition, the DOJ cross-references the ammunition purchaser’s name, date of birth, current address, and driver’s license or other government identification number, with the information maintained in the AFS (Automated Firearms System). (30370)
Denials
If the purchaser’s or transferee’s information does not match an AFS entry, the transaction shall be denied. If the purchaser’s or transferee’s information matches an AFS entry, the department shall determine if the purchaser or transferee falls within a class of persons who are prohibited from owning or possessing ammunition by cross-referencing with the Prohibited Armed Persons File. If the purchaser or transferee is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm, the transaction shall be denied. (30370)
There are two types of checks:
Click for link to a larger version
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Standard eligibility check
For those who have a history of gun purchases in CA A standard check costs one dollar ($1) and is nearly instant. You must have purchased a handgun since 1990 or a long gun since 2014, which would create a record in AFS. The system essentially tells the vendor that since the person owns a gun already, they can purchase ammunition. The person would be flagged in the system if they were a prohibited person.
The one dollar fee is owed for each standard check and it applies even those with a Certificate of Eligibility. Your current information (address, etc.) must match what is in AFS. If you have moved since you bought the gun, you may be forced to use the basic check. However, you may be asked for your current address or asked for an additional document to verify your address. Check your information! The state has given you access to AFS to update your records. Of course, you need to have bought a gun for there to be a record, but it’s a nice feature. This DOJ webpage explains the process. For more details on this website, see the Registration page. |
Basic Background Check
For those who do not have a history of a gun purchase in CA If you fail the standard eligibility check for not having a record in AFS, you proceed to the basic check which will be an additional $19. Failing the standard check does not mean you are a criminal or a prohibited person; it just means there is no record of you owning a gun. A manual background check will be run to confirm you are not a prohibited person.
If you have not purchased a firearm in California, or you have not purchased a handgun since 1990 or a long gun since 2014, you will have no record in AFS, a more extensive background check process (closer to buying a gun) will be conducted. The cost is $19 and the check may take up to 10 days. If you pass, you may purchase the ammo and go home with the ammo. There is no waiting period once the passed check comes back. You will be given an Ammunition Transaction Number (ATN), although many vendors report that the DOJ is using DROS numbers. Once approved, you may use the ATN to purchase ammo in the next 30 days at the same location that did the check. |
How long will the check take?
DOJ claims it takes a few minutes under ideal circumstances, however, due to panic buying checks may take longer to complete. The standard check should take a few minutes as the dealer enters the information into the Dealer Entry System (DES) website. A basic check may take up to 10 days to complete, however.
Do I have to own/buy, or have bought, a gun to buy ammo?
No, there is no requirement to own, buy, or have bought a gun in California to buy ammo. You can own ammo generally as long as you can own a gun. However, those with DROS records of firearm purchases already on file with the state have an easier, and cheaper, process.
What if I have a license to carry; do I still have to get the check done?
Yes, but you more than likely will have an AFS record and can get the one dollar standard eligibility check done.
Do I need an ammo purchase permit or some sort of safety certificate?
No, there are no ammunition purchase permits and the firearm safety certificate is not required.
How do I buy ammo if I don’t live in California?
You are unable to purchase ammo. California cannot use the federal NICS system to verify if someone can own ammunition.
What does a Certificate of Eligibility get me as a Californian?
It does not exempt you from the ammo background check process; you do qualify for the faster, one dollar standard check though. A Certificate of Eligibility is required for anyone who wants to work at a gun store, sell ammo, etc. Although the general public can apply for one, it by itself is not much use.
What do I need to do to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
Note: This information is intended for the general public. If you are pursuing a Certificate of Eligibility for business or employment purposes, please consult resources specific to those purposes.
You must be 18 years old and not a prohibited person (11 CCR § 4032). Live scan fingerprints are required (11 CCR § 4032.5). You will need to file an application electronically using CFARS (11 CCR § 4033). You will need to provide detailed personal information, see 11 CCR § 4035. The certificate costs $22 for a new one and a renewal, is good for one year, and can be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date (11 CCR § 4037 and 11 CCR § 4038).
The only advantage of a Certificate of Eligibility for an average person is that they would qualify for the faster, one dollar standard check.
Who is exempt?
Not average people.
What if I’m buying a gun?
Your firearm purchase DROS check will qualify as the ammunition background check and you will receive your ammo when you pick up your gun.
I legally bought my guns, but I’m not in AFS. How do I fix this?
California does not have mandatory registration system of all guns. Briefly, each time a gun is legally sold or transferred, DROS creates a registration entry based on that sale or transfer. Before 1990, handguns were not registered in a central database and before 2014, the state was legally unable to track the sale of long guns. Now, all firearm transactions are tracked.
Automated Firearms System (AFS) is part of the California gun registry. What the standard eligibility check is doing is looking to see if you currently have a firearm registered. If you do not, that’s fine, but the basic check has to be done for $19 and can take much longer.
If you wish to voluntarily register a gun with AFS, you can do so, and this record will be created allowing you to pass the standard check. You do not need to register all of your firearms. Registering a single firearm will give you an AFS record and allow you to utilize the standard eligibility check.
For voluntary registration of a firearm details, please see the Registration page.
If I've been Livescan fingerprinted, already am I in AFS?
Submitting your prints through a live scan alone does not automatically enter you into the Automated Firearms System (AFS) in California. The primary way to be entered into AFS is by purchasing or transferring a firearm through a licensed dealer, which generates a record in the system. Until you purchase a firearm and are entered into AFS, you would need to pay the $19 fee for the background check each time you buy ammunition. Once you have a firearm and are in AFS, you would then only need to pay the $1 fee for ammunition background checks.
DOJ claims it takes a few minutes under ideal circumstances, however, due to panic buying checks may take longer to complete. The standard check should take a few minutes as the dealer enters the information into the Dealer Entry System (DES) website. A basic check may take up to 10 days to complete, however.
Do I have to own/buy, or have bought, a gun to buy ammo?
No, there is no requirement to own, buy, or have bought a gun in California to buy ammo. You can own ammo generally as long as you can own a gun. However, those with DROS records of firearm purchases already on file with the state have an easier, and cheaper, process.
What if I have a license to carry; do I still have to get the check done?
Yes, but you more than likely will have an AFS record and can get the one dollar standard eligibility check done.
Do I need an ammo purchase permit or some sort of safety certificate?
No, there are no ammunition purchase permits and the firearm safety certificate is not required.
How do I buy ammo if I don’t live in California?
You are unable to purchase ammo. California cannot use the federal NICS system to verify if someone can own ammunition.
What does a Certificate of Eligibility get me as a Californian?
It does not exempt you from the ammo background check process; you do qualify for the faster, one dollar standard check though. A Certificate of Eligibility is required for anyone who wants to work at a gun store, sell ammo, etc. Although the general public can apply for one, it by itself is not much use.
What do I need to do to get a Certificate of Eligibility?
Note: This information is intended for the general public. If you are pursuing a Certificate of Eligibility for business or employment purposes, please consult resources specific to those purposes.
You must be 18 years old and not a prohibited person (11 CCR § 4032). Live scan fingerprints are required (11 CCR § 4032.5). You will need to file an application electronically using CFARS (11 CCR § 4033). You will need to provide detailed personal information, see 11 CCR § 4035. The certificate costs $22 for a new one and a renewal, is good for one year, and can be renewed within 60 days of the expiration date (11 CCR § 4037 and 11 CCR § 4038).
The only advantage of a Certificate of Eligibility for an average person is that they would qualify for the faster, one dollar standard check.
Who is exempt?
Not average people.
What if I’m buying a gun?
Your firearm purchase DROS check will qualify as the ammunition background check and you will receive your ammo when you pick up your gun.
I legally bought my guns, but I’m not in AFS. How do I fix this?
California does not have mandatory registration system of all guns. Briefly, each time a gun is legally sold or transferred, DROS creates a registration entry based on that sale or transfer. Before 1990, handguns were not registered in a central database and before 2014, the state was legally unable to track the sale of long guns. Now, all firearm transactions are tracked.
Automated Firearms System (AFS) is part of the California gun registry. What the standard eligibility check is doing is looking to see if you currently have a firearm registered. If you do not, that’s fine, but the basic check has to be done for $19 and can take much longer.
If you wish to voluntarily register a gun with AFS, you can do so, and this record will be created allowing you to pass the standard check. You do not need to register all of your firearms. Registering a single firearm will give you an AFS record and allow you to utilize the standard eligibility check.
For voluntary registration of a firearm details, please see the Registration page.
If I've been Livescan fingerprinted, already am I in AFS?
Submitting your prints through a live scan alone does not automatically enter you into the Automated Firearms System (AFS) in California. The primary way to be entered into AFS is by purchasing or transferring a firearm through a licensed dealer, which generates a record in the system. Until you purchase a firearm and are entered into AFS, you would need to pay the $19 fee for the background check each time you buy ammunition. Once you have a firearm and are in AFS, you would then only need to pay the $1 fee for ammunition background checks.
Prohibited persons cannot buy/have ammo or magazines
30305. (a) (1) No person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 29800) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 29900) of Division 9 of this title, or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall own, possess, or have under custody or control, any ammunition or reloaded ammunition.
[penalties omitted]
16150. (a) As used in this part, except in subdivision (a) of Section 30305 and in Section 30306, “ammunition” means one or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case, propellant, and with one or more projectiles. “Ammunition” does not include blanks.
(b) As used in subdivision (a) of Section 30305 and in Section 30306, “ammunition” includes, but is not limited to, any bullet, cartridge, magazine, clip, speed loader, autoloader, ammunition feeding device, or projectile capable of being fired from a firearm with a deadly consequence. “Ammunition” does not include blanks.
Note: more than just ammunition is prohibited: projectiles, magazines, clips, and loading devices are prohibited too. This may also include reloading components like black powder, empty cases, or primers.
Smokeless powder and black powder
The legalities of reloading are beyond the purpose of this webpage, but possessing small quantities of powder or primers to reload with is not regulated.
Smokeless powder and black powder are explosives (12000(a) H&S), but , “explosives” does not include ammunition or small arms primers manufactured for use in shotguns, rifles, and pistols (12000(f) H&S). A permit is required to receive, store, possess, transport "explosives" (12101 H&S), but this does not apply to small quantities (20lbs or less) smokeless or black powder.
The legalities of reloading are beyond the purpose of this webpage, but possessing small quantities of powder or primers to reload with is not regulated.
Smokeless powder and black powder are explosives (12000(a) H&S), but , “explosives” does not include ammunition or small arms primers manufactured for use in shotguns, rifles, and pistols (12000(f) H&S). A permit is required to receive, store, possess, transport "explosives" (12101 H&S), but this does not apply to small quantities (20lbs or less) smokeless or black powder.
12102 H&S. This chapter does not apply to any possession or use of 20 pounds or less of smokeless powder, or one pound or less of black sporting powder, provided that:
(a) Smokeless powder is intended only for hand loading of small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(b) Black sporting powder is intended for loading of small arms or small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(c) All such powder is for private use and not for resale, and, in the case of black sporting powder, there shall be no gift, delivery, or other disposition to another person.
(d) The storage, use and handling of such smokeless and black powder conforms to rules, regulations, or ordinances of authorities having jurisdiction for fire prevention and suppression in the area of such storage, use, and handling of such explosives.
Most Likely Scenarios/Problems
The most common problems are going to be no REAL ID driver license, mismatched records and ID, no history of buying a gun. In each case, you may submit to the longer basic background check.
No REAL ID license
You have license that states “federal limits apply” (not a REAL ID). This is corrected by getting a new REAL ID compliant driver license or ID or by going through the longer basic background check.
Mismatched records
You are denied the quicker standard check because your records in the computer system don’t match your identification. This is corrected by logging into the CFARS system and updating your info, buying a new gun, or going through the longer basic background check.
No gun purchase record
You are denied the quicker standard check because there is no record of you purchasing a gun through DROS. You can either go through the longer basic background check or you can correcting this by choosing to voluntarily register a firearm to create a record in CFARS.
The most common problems are going to be no REAL ID driver license, mismatched records and ID, no history of buying a gun. In each case, you may submit to the longer basic background check.
No REAL ID license
You have license that states “federal limits apply” (not a REAL ID). This is corrected by getting a new REAL ID compliant driver license or ID or by going through the longer basic background check.
Mismatched records
You are denied the quicker standard check because your records in the computer system don’t match your identification. This is corrected by logging into the CFARS system and updating your info, buying a new gun, or going through the longer basic background check.
No gun purchase record
You are denied the quicker standard check because there is no record of you purchasing a gun through DROS. You can either go through the longer basic background check or you can correcting this by choosing to voluntarily register a firearm to create a record in CFARS.
Rhode v. Becerra
On April 23, Judge Benitez, who provided the “Freedom Week” magazine decision in Duncan v. Becerra, ruling struck down both the ammo background check requirement and the Prop 63 ban on online ammo orders. Benitez’s decision can be found here.
“California’s new ammunition background check law misfires and the Second Amendment rights of California citizens have been gravely injured,” Benitez said. The state's objective was "to make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for its law-abiding citizens to purchase [constitutionally] protected ammunition." He noted of the 345,547 background checks run, only 188 purchases were denied because the buyers were prohibited persons.
Benitez refused to grant a stay with an injunction as he did in 2019 in the magazine case, Duncan v. Becerra. The Freedom Week while he deliberated the merits of a stay seems as if he did so deliberately to let people buy magazines and then craft his order to allow those newly purchased magazines to be protected by an injunction. The State and the rest of the Ninth Circuit was wise to that, so it seems like Benitez did not bother to attempt it again.
On April 24, 2020, the Ninth Circuit issued an emergency stay of Judge Benitez's order. Because Benitez refused to stay his order, there was no exception granted for those who rushed out and quickly bought ammunition from online vendors. The case is still being litigated as of 2023.
UPDATE 2/6/24: After a brief reprieve from the Golden State's ammo tyranny, the favorable decision was unsurprisingly STAYED by the Ninth Circuit, so the freedom week is ENDED. Back to the inane ammo background check stuff for now. As of January 21, 2024, federal Judge Benitez threw out this requirement in the case Rhode v. Bonta. Attorney General Bonta has vowed to appeal and in the Ninth Circuit another stay of the decision is possible. California and the Ninth Circuit are more than willing to try and run out the clock until they get slapped down by SCOTUS.
“California’s new ammunition background check law misfires and the Second Amendment rights of California citizens have been gravely injured,” Benitez said. The state's objective was "to make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for its law-abiding citizens to purchase [constitutionally] protected ammunition." He noted of the 345,547 background checks run, only 188 purchases were denied because the buyers were prohibited persons.
Benitez refused to grant a stay with an injunction as he did in 2019 in the magazine case, Duncan v. Becerra. The Freedom Week while he deliberated the merits of a stay seems as if he did so deliberately to let people buy magazines and then craft his order to allow those newly purchased magazines to be protected by an injunction. The State and the rest of the Ninth Circuit was wise to that, so it seems like Benitez did not bother to attempt it again.
On April 24, 2020, the Ninth Circuit issued an emergency stay of Judge Benitez's order. Because Benitez refused to stay his order, there was no exception granted for those who rushed out and quickly bought ammunition from online vendors. The case is still being litigated as of 2023.
UPDATE 2/6/24: After a brief reprieve from the Golden State's ammo tyranny, the favorable decision was unsurprisingly STAYED by the Ninth Circuit, so the freedom week is ENDED. Back to the inane ammo background check stuff for now. As of January 21, 2024, federal Judge Benitez threw out this requirement in the case Rhode v. Bonta. Attorney General Bonta has vowed to appeal and in the Ninth Circuit another stay of the decision is possible. California and the Ninth Circuit are more than willing to try and run out the clock until they get slapped down by SCOTUS.