In a landmark decision for gun owners and Second Amendment advocates, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has struck down California’s ammunition background check law, ruling it unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The case, Rhode v. Bonta, challenges one of the strictest ammunition control regimes in the country and may have ripple effects nationwide.

? Background: California’s Ammo Laws Under Fire

In 2016, California voters passed a ballot initiative that created a new background check system for ammunition purchases. Initially, the law required residents to pay a $50 fee for a four-year ammunition purchasing permit. That system was later amended to require a background check for every single ammunition purchase—including face-to-face transactions at licensed vendors. The law also banned Californians from buying ammo in other states and transporting it into California, even for personal use.

Olympic shooting champion Kim Rhode, six other residents, three out-of-state ammo vendors, and the California Rifle & Pistol Association challenged the law in federal court, arguing that it violated their rights under the Second Amendment.

⚖️ The Court's Decision: A Win for the Second Amendment

In a 2–1 decision, the Ninth Circuit affirmed a permanent injunction issued by a federal district court, blocking the enforcement of California’s ammo background check and anti-importation laws. The court ruled:

“Subjecting Californians to background checks for all ammunition purchases infringes on the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.”

The court found that ammunition is clearly protected by the Second Amendment and that California failed to demonstrate any historical precedent justifying this type of regulation. The ruling relied heavily on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which requires that modern gun laws have historical analogs from the time of the Founding.

? What Happens Next?

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is expected to request a rehearing en banc, meaning the full Ninth Circuit Court could review the case. If denied—or if the full court upholds today’s ruling—this could open the door to similar challenges in states like New York, where similar ammunition restrictions are in place.

This decision marks another major blow to aggressive state-level gun control measures and confirms that Second Amendment protections extend to ammunition, not just firearms.

? Bottom Line

The ruling in Rhode v. Bonta is not just a victory for California gun owners—it’s a national signal that overly burdensome and historically unsupported gun control laws are on increasingly shaky ground. We’ll continue to track this case as it moves through the courts.

Stay tuned for further updates as this case—and others like it—move forward. And let us know what you think in the comments!