California Gun Control Setback: Court Halts Ammunition Background Checks

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned California’s pioneering legislation mandating background checks for ammunition transactions, marking a significant setback for the state's gun control measures. This law, which was supported by voters in 2016 and spearheaded by then-Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, required individuals to complete background checks before purchasing ammunition. However, advocacy groups for gun rights and ammunition sellers filed a lawsuit before its implementation, leading to a federal court injunction in 2020 that paused the law's enforcement. The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled on the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association case, disrupting California’s gun control landscape. The appellate court reiterated that the state’s ammunition checks severely limit residents' Second Amendment rights. Justice Sandra Segal Ikuta emphasized this constraint in her majority opinion, while Judge Jay Bybee vigorously dissented, contending that this ruling misapplies the Bruen standard regarding gun regulation limitations.