The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down California's long-standing law requiring background checks for ammunition purchases, a decision that could pave the way for Californians to buy ammunition online, similar to other states. The 2-1 ruling, issued on July 24, 2025, in the case of Rhode v. Bonta, affirmed a lower court's permanent injunction against the state's ammunition sales restrictions. This development marks a significant victory for gun rights advocates who have challenged the constitutionality of the regulations for years.
The court found California's ammunition background check system to be "facially unconstitutional," meaning it cannot be lawfully applied under any circumstances. This decision upholds U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez's earlier ruling that the law lacked historical precedent under the Second Amendment, as established by the Supreme Court's Bruen framework. The challenged regulations, stemming from Proposition 63 in 2016 and later amended by Senate Bill 1235, mandated in-person background checks for every ammunition transaction.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the defendant in the case, is expected to appeal the Ninth Circuit's decision en banc, meaning he will seek a review by a larger panel of judges from the same court. Attorney General Bonta has consistently argued that these laws are "life-saving, constitutional restrictions" designed to prevent gun violence and ensure public safety. He previously secured a temporary stay on Judge Benitez's injunction in January 2024, allowing the background checks to remain in effect while the appeal was pending.
The lawsuit was led by Olympic shooter Kim Rhode and the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), with support from the National Rifle Association. The ruling is seen by proponents as a restoration of Second Amendment rights for California residents. As one social media user, Vince for California, stated in a tweet on July 25, 2025, following the news, "> Dear Californians THIS IS HUGE Bonta lost his case You can buy ammo now online like every other state."
While the ruling offers a temporary reprieve for California gun owners, the legal battle is far from over. Attorney General Bonta's anticipated appeal and request for a stay could once again halt online ammunition sales and reinstate the background check requirements. Past instances of similar rulings have seen rapid reversals due to subsequent stays, creating uncertainty for consumers and ammunition vendors alike. The ultimate outcome of Rhode v. Bonta will likely have broader implications for firearm-related regulations across the nation.