Law Appeals Court Blocks California’s Background Checks for Ammunition Buyers - (7-24-2025)

[blackhawk556]

CRPA is saying they don’t think online order is safe still and companies who are accepting orders are betting on luck that DOJ won’t go after them.



If DOJ says these purchases were illegal, can they come after us if we place orders?

 

[blackhawk556]

I think by the time we compile a list of deals en banc is going to issue a block again.

 

[Hit Factor]

CRPA is saying they don’t think online order is safe still and companies who are accepting orders are betting on luck that DOJ won’t go after them.

The California DOJ is going to go after out-of-state companies outside their jurisdiction? Where is the CRPA saying this?

 

[BONECUTR]

My CADOJ rep said the stay is still in effect and there will be repercussions for anyone delivering ammo without a background check.

 

[Hit Factor]

Yep. Get it while you can. It's only a matter of time until California shuts this down.

The ones who are being cautious and don't want to drop a large online order are the ones who are going to lose.

Yep. The exact same thing happened during Freedom Week. People who sat on the sidelines missed out big time.

 

[ef9boy88]

TSUSA has a membership plan, ammoplus. Then you get a discounted price and free shipping on any order IIRC. They also send an annual present worth about the cost of the membership, or more.
It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out. If they say that (Saint) Benitez's decision is in effect, that's pretty sweet. I and a few others were in the courtroom to observe the arguments a while back (Dec 2023?). The arguments by the state were really lame. They weren't even that good. Given Bruen, if the state was honest, they'd quit this fight and do something that would actually benefit the entire state of Ca. How much money has been spent on this ego trip/boondoggle? It's amazing the things they choose to chase, and the things they choose to ignore.

I got the gift when I signed up, haven't gotten the annual one.

 

[PlinkyDinky]

I got the gift when I signed up, haven't gotten the annual one.

They were supposed to send me a plastic ammo can as a welcome gift; they sent me a really motherless in' metal one instead!

 

[Hit Factor]

My CADOJ rep said the stay is still in effect and there will be repercussions for anyone delivering ammo without a background check.

Here’s the entire ruling : https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2025/07/24/24-542.pdf
Where does it say that the stay is still in effect? The last paragraph of the majority opinion (p. 54) specifically states:

I’m not even aware of the state seeking a stay yet on this ruling pending an appeal. For now, the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that California’s ammunition background checks are unconstitutional remains unchallenged.

 

[BONECUTR]

Here’s the entire ruling : https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2025/07/24/24-542.pdf
Where does it say that the stay is still in effect? The last paragraph of the majority opinion (p. 54) specifically states:
View attachment 78830
I’m not even aware of the state seeking a stay yet on this ruling pending an appeal. For now, the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that California’s ammunition background checks are unconstitutional remains unchallenged.

I'm not an attorney and just reading what the CRPA lawyers were posting and they did not think the stay was lifted. As a CA dealer it will be near impossible to compete with online vendors not having to charge excise but normally they are quick to let us know backgrounds don't need to be ran anymore.

 

[sass2924]

I'm not an attorney and just reading what the CRPA lawyers were posting and they did not think the stay was lifted. As a CA dealer it will be near impossible to compete with online vendors not having to charge excise but normally they are quick to let us know backgrounds don't need to be ran anymore.

This is what I saw that they posted

 

[BONECUTR]

This is what I saw that they posted

Correct "it appears the law will remain in effect until"

Im not one to argue with the lawyer that tried the case....

Today they posted
"Setting aside my post yesterday regarding Rhode, it has now been 24+ hours. Multiple online and out-of-state retailers have begun selling ammo to CA residents with the assumption that the system is currently unenforceable. And CA DOJ has remained silent, with no indication otherwise. If I were a dealer, I would reach out to my CA DOJ rep pointing this out. I would then state I will be acting on the assumption that CA DOJ is also of the opinion that the system is currently unenforceable, and that I would be proceeding on this assumption until expressly instructed by CA DOJ otherwise."

 

[Seeed]

The California Market just opened up and it looks like a bunch of you gunners are emptying the shelves... The California market will show its strength. Hopefully stores will ship and manufacturers will notice.

This mainly hurts CA stores though, since inside the state is still subject to 11%. So things are still off.

No offense to vendors but considering their prices I’m all for going back to the internet. Consumers have taken the biggest hit in recent years so I’m gonna be selfish on this one.

 

[PlinkyDinky]

No offense to vendors but considering their prices I’m all for going back to the internet. Consumers have taken the biggest hit in recent years so I’m gonna be selfish on this one.

I still can't get over people on forums selling 2nd-hand ammo for as much or more than I can buy online...

 

[SierraShooter]

Midway sent out emails....

It's a good sign that some vendors are willing to ship to Ca. now, but they will not compensate you for your legal fees if it is not legal yet. I'm wondering what happens if you place an order but the state will reverse it (en banc?) before your order arrives. Would it still be legal to take possession of the shipment?

 

[ikeo1]

No offense to vendors but considering their prices I’m all for going back to the internet. Consumers have taken the biggest hit in recent years so I’m gonna be selfish on this one.

It's about the state winning against local businesses. When there are fewer local vendors and its more advantageous for internet, then our options continue to get more narrow. Its more about hurting 2A businesses in the state. It's rough.

I agree with you but just zooming out to a macro view, its not looking good.

 

[SierraShooter]

I still can't get over people on forums selling 2nd-hand ammo for as much or more than I can buy online...

They may be advertising it, but they may not be selling it. Look at 2nd hand concert tickets...Many list for 5x-10x face value until they don't sell. Then they drop in price to what more people are willing to pay.
I sat out the ammo, primer and powder shortages when prices got hiked 200%- 300% over the last 15 years knowing that they would settle back down to a large extent.

 

[eaglemike]

Regarding local dealers, Discount Gun Mart in San Diego has some really good prices on some stuff right now.
I'm just a customer, here is a link to their latest flyer: Discount Gun Mart sale Flyer

The average California gun owner won't be aware of this court decision, or monitor forums like this one. It's too bad. There were efforts in the past to involve a lot more people, but many just don't want to actually work at it. Gun shows aren't like they should be, etc.
IT would be great if every legal gun owner belonged to the NRA and CRPA, and stayed involved.

 

[shroom]

No offense to vendors but considering their prices I’m all for going back to the internet. Consumers have taken the biggest hit in recent years so I’m gonna be selfish on this one.

I have never seen good ammo prices at a California lgs. Only ever "holy what are you people smoking" prices. Doesn't help that I look for obsolete milsurp calibers but I've seen 100%-200% mark ups over online prices on them.

 

[Khellen27]

So many online vendors are willing to ship right now but the big one is still silent. Palmetto armory hasn't said a word. They are the biggiest crock of company saying they stand up for 2a. They wouldn't even ship to ffl03 / coe holders and now still won't ship. They told me they are waiting on their lawyers.

 

[Seeed]

It's about the state winning against local businesses. When there are fewer local vendors and its more advantageous for internet, then our options continue to get more narrow. Its more about hurting 2A businesses in the state. It's rough.

I agree with you but just zooming out to a macro view, its not looking good.

Sure and I get all that, but it is what it is. My FFL doesn't need a full store front to sell over priced versions of what I can get online to support their business, nor overpriced ammo, even firearms are grossly inflated. I'll support small business to a degree that it makes sense to have one. Sadly the world moves forward and the value isn't there to support most small brick and mortar firearms dealers, especially these days. I have to make choices for myself and my budget now more than ever and I take priority, so I dont want to pay for multiple employees, insane rents and permit costs, utility bills along with profit margins with 20% to even 100% or higher inflated costs. It's not a viable business model these days.