California Court Strikes Down Ammunition Law!



In an important victory for California gun owners, the Fresno Superior Court ruled today that California's new ammunition regulation law is unconstitutional, and blocked further enforcement.

The law, passed last year as AB 962, would have banned mail order ammunition sales and required all purchases of so called "handgun ammunition" to be registered. In an unwritten ruling from the bench, Judge Jeffrey Hamilton found the law unconstitutionally vague on its face and issued an injunction against its enforcement. For now, at least, mail order ammunition sales to California residents can continue, and ammunition sales need not be registered under the law.

The lawsuit-funded by the National Rifle Association and the California Rifle and Pistol (CRPA) Foundation as part of a joint Legal Action Project-was prompted in part by the many objections and questions raised by confused police, ammunition purchasers, and sellers about what ammunition is covered by the new law. Plaintiffs in the case include Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker, the CRPA Foundation, Herb Bauer Sporting Goods, ammunition shipper Able's Ammo, collectible ammunition shipper RTG Sporting Collectibles, and individual Steven Stonecipher. Mendocino Sheriff Tom Allman also supported the lawsuit.

The ruling comes just days before the ban on mail order sales of so called "handgun ammunition" was set to take effect. Many of the nation's largest mail-order and online ammunition retailers had already announced that they would soon end sales to California residents. If the law had gone into effect, it would have required that "handgun ammunition" be stored out of the reach of customers, that ammunition vendors collect ammunition sales registration information and thumbprints from purchasers, and that vendors conduct transactions face to face for all deliveries and transfers of "handgun ammunition."

Fortunately, the court agreed that AB 962 is unconstitutionally vague on its face because it fails to provide sufficient legal notice of what ammunition cartridges are "principally for use in a handgun," and therefore regulated as "handgun ammunition" under AB 962. The law gives no explanation of how to determine what cartridges are "principally for use in" handguns.

The state is likely to appeal this important victory, and anti-gun lawmakers in Sacramento will undoubtedly try again to destroy lawful ammunition sales in California. Only the ongoing support and activism of California gun owners can block those efforts, so please watch your e-mail alerts and visit www.nraila.org for updates on this critically important issue.

DAMN!

I was ready to lease a defunct gas station right on the line inside Nevada, just west of Reno and sell handgun ammo, only.

Either way, I'm off the hook making the stuff as I don't retail anything inside California.

Nice to see a victory for our side!

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Nice to see a victory for our side!

The vast majority of average Californians are like folks in the rest of the country. When you get into LA or SF, the fruitcakes from New England, NYC, etc have invaded en masse and screwed the politics. They actually believe the entire country is like them and that the NRA and us shooters are just a handful of unruly Bubbas who need to be controlled.

quote:

They actually believe the entire country is like them and that the NRA and us shooters are just a handful of unruly Bubbas who need to be controlled.

It's sad how true this is. Everyone I meet that learns I'm a hunter/gun-owner thinks I'm some beer drinking redneck. Their remark usually even comes in their "redneck" accent.

I got the email too and that's great news for us Californians. Not sure we'll be needing to buy handgun ammo any time soon though, most of us have stockpiled!

I for one am very glad. I heard scary things like because of the thompson center guns they could consider almost everything handgun ammo, plus the increased cost of ammo due to the extra requirements.

Most importantly, I see it as a first step towards restricting things further, the amount you can buy, then components.

I usually buy at the gunshows, but have ordered online before and especially get my components through mail order.

Score one for the good guys.

Red

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
Nice to see a victory for our side!

The vast majority of average Californians are like folks in the rest of the country. When you get into LA or SF, the fruitcakes from New England, NYC, etc have invaded en masse and screwed the politics. They actually believe the entire country is like them and that the NRA and us shooters are just a handful of unruly Bubbas who need to be controlled.

How well I know, I'm in Humboldt County.

Midway canceled my back ordered 308 Winchester ammo because it could be loaded in a Thompson/Center. They did it today. Able Ammo and Natchez did not. Midway is on my shit list after waiting four weeks for the stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Dago Red:
I for one am very glad. I heard scary things like because of the thompson center guns they could consider almost everything handgun ammo...

This is correct. As I stated above, any T/C caliber or SSK barreled caliber was not on the ban. As per a midway email today.

My 308 ammo was canceled for my daughter.

quote:

Originally posted by 333_OKH:

quote:

Originally posted by Dago Red:
I for one am very glad. I heard scary things like because of the thompson center guns they could consider almost everything handgun ammo...

This is correct. As I stated above, any T/C caliber or SSK barreled caliber was not on the ban. As per a midway email today.

My 308 ammo was canceled for my daughter.

Midway has a lot of unusal practices from my POV. They are a vendor of last resort for me.

Regarding these asinine bills coming from Sacramento, everyone needs to keep the pressure on at every possible opportunity. The system is fundametally corrupt but it can be checked via legitimate commerce.

Proud to be a Life Member of both the CRPA and NRA.

Just proves the idiots in Sacramento can't even write a law correctly. I'm sure Gerry Brown will save us all.

I wouldn't get too excited about this ruling.

The knuckleheads in the CA legislature will just amend this stupid law to better define "handgun ammunition" and CA residents will be right back at square one.

No free man is safe while the legislature is in session.

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No free man is safe while the legislature is in session.

Tru Dat!

I have rifles chambered in 9mm, 45 ACP, 44 magnum, and handguns chambered in 30-30 Win, 45-70 Govt. So right there the "handgun ammo" specification is problematically vague.

Just think about all the SASS cowboys out there.
Frank

Guys- moonbeam is firm in his belief that all guns are bad and you in particular as a Kalifornia resident should understand that they ate not good for you. Better get with his program right away or you will be identified as mentally afflicted and subject to arrest! They know where you live and that you own a gun! I voted with my feet!-Rob

Rob,
If I can convince my wife to move, I will also vote with my feet and all my money too!
Won't be anybody here but illegals and welfare recipients pretty soon so it will be a 100% blue state.

If more like minded folks move to Nevada and the Nevada Dirt Bags move to LA the world will
Be a better place.when people ask me why I moved to Nevada, I always say just to get away from California. Moonbeam just doesn't understand!the money I've saved has been substantial too! -Rob

Californias gun laws among other laws are the reason I left. I now live in a state with no state income tax, reasonable gun laws, few unions and just as good weather.

quote:

money I've saved has been substantial

Speaks to me ... my number may be comin' up too!