California Ammo Background Check Law Overturned — Buy Ammo Online Now

Ninth Circuit Overturns California Ammo Law — Online Ammunition Sales Now Legal

As of July 24, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has officially ruled that California's ammunition background check law and ammo import restrictions violate the Second Amendment. In the case of Rhode v. Bonta, the court issued a permanent injunction blocking enforcement of these restrictions, making it legal to buy ammunition online in California and have it shipped directly to your home.

This landmark decision ends years of some of the most restrictive ammo laws in the United States and restores the ability of California residents to purchase ammunition without excessive government interference.

What Was California’s Ammo Background Check Law?

Until now, California ammo laws required:

• A background check for every ammo purchase, including in-store

• A ban on online ammo sales shipped directly to homes

• A prohibition on importing ammunition from other states

• Mandatory in-person transactions with DOJ-registered ammo vendors

These laws created significant delays, costs, and frustration for gun owners trying to legally purchase ammunition in California.

What Has Changed?

The court’s ruling immediately restores the rights of Californians to:

• Buy ammo online in California

• Have ammunition delivered to their door

• Skip in-person background checks for ammo

• Purchase ammo from out-of-state retailers without restrictions

No ammo background check is currently required, and direct-to-home ammunition shipping is now legal throughout California—just like in most other states.

Is It Legal to Buy Ammo Online in California Right Now?

Yes. The ruling is effective immediately. The Ninth Circuit lifted the stay on a prior injunction, meaning California residents can legally order ammunition online today and have it shipped directly to their home.

Unless a new stay is issued by a higher court—such as the U.S. Supreme Court—the decision remains in effect and enforceable.

Will the State of California Appeal?

California state officials may attempt to appeal the ruling or seek a rehearing, but that process could take months or years. Until then, online ammo purchases in California are legal.

We’re monitoring the situation closely and will update this page if anything changes. For now, you can buy ammo online in California without a background check or face-to-face transaction.

Why This Matters

This ruling brings California in line with Second Amendment protections recognized across the country. It also provides gun owners in California with access to:

• Better ammo pricing

• Wider product selection

• Faster delivery

• Fewer bureaucratic hurdles

This is a major victory for California gun rights, the firearms community, and anyone searching for how to buy ammo legally in California.

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