Gun owners that pay attention know that some changes in how we buy ammunition are coming in July. In addition to the current face-to-face transaction requirement that has added cost and inconvenience to my online purchases, we can expect the following in July:
- All ammunition purchases will require a point-of-sale “eligibility check” (background check), a $1 fee to be paid by the applicant
- The seller will be required to report your purchase to the state (date, caliber, brand, amount, salesperson’s name) where it will be documented in their database
- If you don’t have a firearm registered with the state a one time eligibility check at a cost of $19 is required to purchase ammo (or you can register one of your guns)
- Sales will not be permitted to non-California residents, no California driver license, no sale
A good summary of the changes can be found here.
The stated purpose of these restrictions is, as always, to reduce crime and improve public safety. Rational adults firmly grounded in reality know otherwise.
The only reason for the State to create a database tracking ammunition purchases of law-abiding citizens is to lay the groundwork for limiting ammunition at some future date. Who needs more than 50 rounds per month? Ammunition rationing has already been attempted in Oregon and New York.
As with almost all gun control laws, this is just a backdoor attack on the second amendment. If guns can’t be restricted (which is already being done) then make it difficult to get ammunition, difficult to buy guns, and difficult to find places to legally shoot guns.
While legal action isn’t always the answer, it can be a valuable tool in the fight to protect our rights. The recent overturning of California’s unconstitutional standard capacity magazine ban is a great example.
To ensure this tool is always available we need to support organizations that challenge unconstitutional laws. The California Rifle and Pistol Association and the NRA were the two involved in the above example. Find a pro-2A group (preferably several) you like and support them!
Unfortunately gun owners are not always as informed and engaged as they should be. I recently had a shooter at a USPSA match tell me his “give-a-shit meter was at zero” regarding the politics of gun control laws. That’s unfortunate as you can bet that Gavin Newsom’s give-a-shit meter is pegged at 110% when it comes to stripping you of your rights. If gun owners don’t care no one else will and we lose.
So what can you do?
- Consider reloading– Reloading ammunition is fun! It will also save you money and allows you to tailor your rounds to match your needs. In addition, it keeps you out of the State’s database.
- Stock up and hope the law gets overturned– Groups like CRPA and NRA will almost certainly challenge this law when it takes effect in July. Stock up on ammunition now and maybe you can avoid needing to purchase ammo until the law is overturned.
- Do nothing and submit– This is unfortunately what many will do which is why we have the problem in the first place. I hope this assumption is incorrect. I’m optimistic in that people in increasing numbers across the country are refusing to comply with these unconstitutional laws. We’ll see what the people of California do.
- Get involved and fight back – Educate yourself. Spread the word to others. Support groups that are fighting for your 2A rights. The real long-term solution to the problem is to stop electing politicians that want to strip you of your rights.
The right to self-defense is a basic human right. Gun ownership is an integral part of that right. If you want to keep your rights defend them by joining San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO), the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Join the fight and help us restore and preserve our second amendment rights. Together we will win.
©2019 Joseph T Drammissi
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