California Penal Code Section 30300 [1], as modified by Proposition 63 [2], prohibits any person who is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under state or federal law from owning, possessing, or having under their custody or control any ammunition or reloaded ammunition.
Point-of-Sale Background Check
Since July 1, 2019, all ammunition purchases in California require a point-of-sale eligibility check conducted by the DOJ. Under Penal Code Section 30370 [3], the ammunition vendor must verify the purchaser's identity and run an eligibility check through the DOJ system before completing the sale. There are two types of checks:
- Standard Ammunition Eligibility Check ($5 fee, increased from $1 effective July 1, 2025): Available to persons who are already in the Automated Firearms System (AFS) as a registered firearm owner. This check typically returns results within minutes.
- Basic Ammunition Eligibility Check ($19 fee): Required for persons who are not in the AFS. This is a more comprehensive check and may take longer to process. Persons with a valid COE or FFL are exempt from per-transaction checks.
Who Is Prohibited
Persons prohibited from possessing ammunition under Section 30300 include:
- Persons convicted of a felony
- Persons convicted of specified misdemeanors (domestic violence, certain assault offenses)
- Persons subject to a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) or domestic violence restraining order
- Persons adjudicated as mentally ill or committed to a mental institution
- Persons addicted to narcotics
Importation Restrictions
Penal Code Section 30314 [4] prohibits the importation of ammunition into California by residents who purchase it out of state. Out-of-state ammunition purchases must be shipped to a licensed ammunition vendor in California, who then processes the transaction through the standard eligibility check. Bringing ammunition across state lines in person, including from online purchases, is a violation of this section.
Excise Tax (AB 28)
Since July 1, 2024, AB 28 imposes an 11% excise tax on the retail sale of ammunition, in addition to standard California sales tax [5]. This tax applies at the point of sale and is collected by the vendor. 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 Uncertainty: Rhode v. Bonta
The constitutionality of California's ammunition background check system is under active legal challenge in Rhode v. Bonta. On July 24, 2025, a Ninth Circuit three-judge panel struck down the ammunition background check system, holding it violates the Second Amendment under the framework established in NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022) [6].
However, on December 1, 2025, the Ninth Circuit granted California's petition for rehearing en banc, vacating the panel opinion [7]. The ammunition background check system remains in effect during the en banc proceedings. En banc oral arguments are scheduled for March 25, 2026. The U.S. Department of Justice and a 25-state coalition have filed amicus briefs supporting the challenge [8].
Until the en banc court issues its ruling, all existing ammunition purchase requirements remain fully enforceable. Purchasers must continue to comply with the point-of-sale background check, vendor licensing, and recordkeeping requirements.
Penalties
A prohibited person who possesses ammunition in violation of Penal Code Section 30305 [9] faces punishment by imprisonment in a county jail for up to one year or in state prison, and/or a fine of up to $1,000. While the statute uses felony language, the sentencing structure -- which includes county jail up to one year as an alternative to state prison -- allows prosecutors to pursue either felony or misdemeanor-level punishment. Note that PC 30300 prohibits the sale or transfer of ammunition to prohibited persons, while PC 30305 separately prohibits possession by prohibited persons -- the distinction is important for determining which statute applies in a given case.
For non-prohibited persons, purchasing ammunition from an unlicensed vendor in violation of Penal Code Section 30312 [10] is a misdemeanor.
See also: Buying Ammunition in California After Prop 63
See also: 11 CCR: Ammunition Vendor Regulations
See also: Rhode v. Bonta: Ammunition Background Check Challenge