California's ammunition purchase laws are among the most restrictive in the nation. Proposition 63, approved by voters in November 2016, established the framework, and subsequent legislation refined the implementation. Since July 1, 2019, every ammunition purchase in California requires a point-of-sale background check conducted through the California Department of Justice [1].
Licensed Vendor Requirement
All ammunition sales in California must be conducted by or processed through a licensed ammunition vendor [2]. This includes in-store purchases at gun shops and sporting goods stores, online orders (which must be shipped to a licensed vendor for pickup), and sales at gun shows. Private party ammunition transfers must also go through a licensed vendor. It is illegal to import ammunition purchased out of state without going through a licensed vendor [9]. PC 30314 does not provide a personal importation exception for any quantity -- all out-of-state ammunition must be shipped to a licensed ammunition vendor in California for processing.
Point-of-Sale Background Check
When you purchase ammunition, the vendor submits your identifying information to the DOJ for a background check. There are two types of checks:
Standard Ammunition Eligibility Check ($5 fee, increased from $1 effective July 1, 2025): This automated check is available to purchasers who already have a record in the DOJ's Automated Firearms System (AFS), meaning they have previously purchased a firearm through a DROS or have voluntarily registered a firearm. The system verifies your identity against the AFS database and checks for prohibiting factors. Results typically come back within minutes [1].
Basic Ammunition Eligibility Check ($19 fee): If you do not have a record in the AFS (for example, you inherited firearms, moved to California before registration was required, or simply have never purchased through a DROS), the standard check will return a "not in system" result. You must then undergo the basic check, which is a more thorough background review similar to a firearm purchase background check. Processing can take several days [3].
Possible Results
- Approved: The transaction may proceed
- Denied: The purchaser is prohibited from possessing ammunition (felony conviction, domestic violence restraining order, mental health hold, etc.)
- Delayed: Additional review is needed (you must wait for the DOJ to issue a determination)
Who Is Prohibited
The same persons prohibited from purchasing firearms under Penal Code Section 29800-29825 are also prohibited from purchasing ammunition [4]. This includes convicted felons, persons convicted of certain misdemeanors, persons subject to a domestic violence restraining order, persons subject to a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO), and persons adjudicated as mentally ill.
Excise Tax (AB 28)
Since July 1, 2024, AB 28 (the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act) imposes an 11% excise tax on the retail sale of ammunition, in addition to the standard California sales tax [5]. This applies to all ammunition sold at retail in California. For a $30 box of ammunition, the excise tax adds approximately $3.30 on top of regular sales tax. The tax is administered by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Exemptions exist for sales to law enforcement agencies and active or retired peace officers, and for retailers with less than $5,000 per quarter in total covered sales.
Legal Challenge: Rhode v. Bonta
The constitutionality of California's ammunition background check system is under active legal challenge. On July 24, 2025, a Ninth Circuit three-judge panel struck down the ammunition background check system in Rhode v. Bonta, holding it violates the Second Amendment under the framework from NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022) [6].
On December 1, 2025, the Ninth Circuit granted California's petition for rehearing en banc, vacating the panel opinion [7]. The U.S. Department of Justice and a 25-state coalition filed amicus briefs supporting the challenge in January 2026 [8]. En banc oral arguments are scheduled for March 25, 2026.
The ammunition background check system remains fully in effect during the en banc proceedings. Regardless of the legal challenge, you must comply with all existing purchase requirements until a court orders otherwise.
Practical Tips
- Ensure your firearms are registered in the AFS to qualify for the faster $5 Standard Ammunition Eligibility Check
- Bring a valid California ID that matches your current address
- Online ammunition orders must ship to a licensed vendor in California
- Budget extra time if you expect to need the $19 basic eligibility check
- Budget for the 11% AB 28 excise tax on top of standard sales tax
- Keep receipts as proof of legal purchase
See also: Rhode v. Bonta: Ammunition Background Check Challenge