The ongoing legal battle over California’s strict ammunition purchase and transportation laws reached a critical milestone this week as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena heard oral arguments in Rhode v. Bonta, Dec. 4. The case challenges provisions of California’s Proposition 63, which imposes some of the nation’s most restrictive regulations on ammunition buyers.
The case, originally filed by the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) and lead plaintiff, Olympic champion Kim Rhode, gained momentum earlier this year when U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez ruled the law unconstitutional. However, the Ninth Circuit promptly stayed the decision following the state’s appeal, keeping the regulations in place while the case proceeds.
An Unprecedented Law
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs argued that California’s restrictions on ammunition purchases are unprecedented, noting that such laws have no historical equivalent as required by the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. That ruling established the necessity for modern firearms regulations to align with historical traditions of the Second Amendment.
“Not once in this country’s history has the government required background checks for securing ammunition under a scheme as restrictive as California’s,” CRPA attorneys emphasized, pointing out that the state’s approach lacks a historical analog.
CRPA President & General Counsel Chuck Michel reiterated the importance of today’s hearing:
“The Supreme Court remanded this case back to the Ninth Circuit so that it could follow the directive laid out in Bruen. Our arguments today forcefully demonstrate that ammunition is, of course, covered by the Second Amendment and that the restrictions put in place by the state simply don’t hold up to the standard established in Bruen.”
Broad Support
The case has garnered support from numerous Second Amendment organizations, including Gun Owners of California, Gun Owners of America, the Gun Owners Foundation and the National Rifle Association. Several amicus briefs have been filed, including from 24 states and major ammunition retailers like Able’s Sporting Goods, Ammunition Depot and Sam’s Shooters Emporium.
Eight Years of Legal Struggle
Proposition 63, passed in 2016, introduced requirements such as background checks for ammunition purchases, prohibitions on bringing lawfully purchased ammunition across state lines and additional restrictions deemed burdensome by critics. Over the past eight years, CRPA and its allies have worked tirelessly to challenge the law, citing its infringement on fundamental Second Amendment rights.
Call to Action
As the case progresses, CRPA is urging supporters to remain vigilant and support the organization in its fight.
The Ninth Circuit’s decision in Rhode v. Bonta could have far-reaching implications for California and the nation, setting the stage for another potential Supreme Court showdown over Second Amendment rights.
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