CRPA Seeks Injunction to Halt California Ammo Restrictions
Photo from Ault Ammo Depot.
Earlier this week, the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), filed a motion requesting an injunction against enforcement of California’s recently implemented ammunition sale/purchase laws. The injunction motion is part of the Rhode v. Becerra case filed in April of 2018. That lawsuit challenges California’s new ammo sale regulations which went into effect July 1, 2019. Lead Plaintiff and Olympic Shooter Kim Rhode and other Plaintiffs have asked the court to block the new ammunition-purchase laws on Constitutional grounds, and because of myriad practical issues with the new ammo sale controls.
Basically this burdensome new law requires filling out multiple forms, paying fees, and securing Birth Certificates or other proof of citizenship (which, of course, is NOT required for voting in California).
The NRA-ILA states: “The entire system has been shown to be an [unconstitutional] excessive burden on law-abiding gun owners with little to no law enforcement value. California ammunition retailers were given little if any guidance from the state explaining the procedures for processing ammunition sales, amounting to mass confusion throughout the state.”
We talked to Californian (and lead Plaintiff) Kim Rhode at SHOT Show. The Olympic Gold Medalist explained to us that she can no longer mail-order the high-quality shot shells she uses in Olympic and World Cup competition, and she is not able to find that ammo in California retail stores. This limits her ability to practice in California.
If the court grants the Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief, it will prohibit California from enforcing its confusing and burdensome ammunition sales restrictions while the Rhode case is fully litigated. A hearing on the motion for injunction is scheduled for August 19th, 2019. A decision is expected sometime thereafter.
The CRPA would also like to thank the following California ammunition retailers who supported Monday’s filing by providing declarations regarding the effect California’s ammunition sales restrictions have had on their businesses:
Turner’s Outdoorsman (27 CA locations)
LAX Ammunition OC (Huntington Beach)
Norco Armory (Norco)
Foothill Ammo (Shingle Springs)
Guns, Fishing and Other Stuff (Vacaville)
Royal Loan (San Diego)
Mosquito Creek Outfitters (Placerville)
Discount Gun Mart (San Diego and Santee)
The lawsuit is also supported by out-of-state retailers who are banned from shipping ammunition directly to California citizens, based on the provisions of the new legislation. These include Able’s Ammo (Texas), and Ammunition Depot (Florida).
Stand and Fight in California
Visit the NRA-ILA California Stand and Fight web-page for updates on the Rhode v. Becerra case as well as other issues impacting Second Amendment rights in California.
