Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Rhode v. Bonta, striking down California’s ammunition background-check regime as violating the Second Amendment. The Court affirmed a permanent injunction blocking the state's law that required a background check before every ammunition purchase.
Once finalized, this ruling strikes down California’s first-of-its-kind requirement, implemented in 2019 under Proposition 63, which allowed background checks—and associated fees—on every ammunition transaction, and also banned ammo purchases and shipments from out of state.
The Court held the regulation "meaningfully constrains" the constitutional right to keep operable arms and fails under the Supreme Court’s Bruen test, as it lacks any analogous historical precedent
The state is exploring further legal options. No doubt the state will a request an en banc review before 11 judges at the Ninth Circuit before a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Second Amendment Law Center won’t be caught on our heels if and when action is necessary. Your tax-deductible donation to the ensures we remain fully funded, vigilant, and prepared to ensure that the decision in Rhode v. Bonta stands. We must be ready to fight to keep this win as the state asks the en banc court to overturn it.
Together, we can help ensure the right to keep and bear arms is preserved—not just for today, but for generations to come.