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9th Circuit Court Strikes Down California's Ammunition Background Check Law

9th Circuit blocks part of gun law Newsom championed, prohibits background checks for ammo 🔗

California voters in 2016 passed a ballot initiative championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that in part required background checks for ammunition. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that provision violates the 2nd Amendment.

A recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down California's law that required background checks for ammunition purchases, deeming it a violation of the Second Amendment. This decision is part of a broader trend of rolling back gun control measures following the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights. The law, initially supported by Governor Gavin Newsom and passed by voters in 2016, faced legal challenges from gun rights advocates before it was ultimately blocked. The court's majority opinion emphasized that the background checks imposed significant constraints on Californians' rights to own firearms. Newsom criticized the ruling, arguing that it undermines public safety.

What was the main reason for the 9th Circuit's ruling against the ammunition background check law?

The court found that the law violated the Second Amendment by meaningfully constraining Californians' rights to purchase ammunition and own firearms.

Who championed the background check initiative in California?

Governor Gavin Newsom, who was the lieutenant governor at the time, was the primary advocate for the initiative that required background checks for ammunition purchases.

How did the ruling impact the sale of ammunition in California?

The ruling allowed for the continuation of ammunition sales without background checks, effectively ending the requirement that had limited face-to-face transactions and banned internet sales of ammunition.

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