California: Ammo Sales and Ammo Depots Fight

Gun owners in California will have to wait a little longer to reclaim their right to buy ammo online. Despite a major win at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Ammunition Depot has announced that direct-to-door ammo sales remain on hold—for now.

In Rhode v. Bonta, a three-judge panel struck down California’s 2016 ammunition laws, which require background checks for every ammo purchase and effectively ban online sales. The court ruled those restrictions unconstitutional in a significant win for Ammunition Depot, the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), and others fighting the law.

But California’s anti-gun leadership wasn’t about to let freedom roll in without a fight.

The state has now filed for an en banc review, requesting that the full Ninth Circuit rehear the case. That move pauses the panel’s ruling indefinitely, meaning the background checks and in-store purchase mandates remain in place until the full court decides whether to take the case.

“We know this is frustrating for California gun owners who were hopeful the recent court decision would restore their ammo buying freedom right away,” said Seth Weinstein, Founder & Managing Partner of Ammunition Depot. “But the State of California is fighting tooth and nail to keep these restrictions in place. We’re not giving up.”