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A Big Win - This Morning!
In another big loss for gun grabbing Attorney General Rob Bonta, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals handed California gun owners a major victory this morning, striking down the state’s heavy-handed ammunition background check laws in Rhode v. Bonta. This morning’s ruling represents a hard-fought triumph for those who have spent nearly a decade battling to preserve their Second Amendment freedoms. More importantly, it serves as a potent reminder that our Constitution remains the supreme law of this nation—not merely a set of outdated suggestions politicians can ignore when convenient.
A Long Fight for Freedom
In 2016, California voters made a grave mistake by passing Proposition 63, which forced every ammunition purchase through a background check system, regardless of whether the buyer was a law-abiding citizen with a spotless record. This misguided law created mandatory face-to-face transactions with licensed vendors, piled on additional fees, and caused frustrating delays that sometimes stretched for days to purchase a simple ammunition box. For the hunters who put food on their tables, competitive shooters pursuing their passion, and families depending on firearms to protect their homes, these restrictions amounted to nothing less than deliberate government obstruction.
The California Rifle & Pistol Association stepped up in 2018, joining Olympic shooting champion Kim Rhode, ammunition vendors, and other concerned plaintiffs to challenge this oppressive system. Their argument was straightforward: California had crossed a constitutional line and trampled on fundamental rights that belong to every American.
The legal battle took years to resolve, particularly after the Supreme Court’s groundbreaking 2022 Bruen decision reshaped how courts must evaluate gun laws. Bruen made it clear that firearms regulations must align with the Second Amendment’s plain language and our nation’s historical traditions. Following years of courtroom warfare, the Ninth Circuit’s decision validates what gun owners have understood all along—California pushed its anti-gun agenda too far, again.
The Bruen Test in Action
The court carefully applied the Bruen framework, establishing a straightforward two-part analysis for Second Amendment cases. The first question was whether California’s law restricts activities under the amendment’s clear language. The three-judge panel, headed by Judge Sandra S. Ikuta and Judge Bridget S. Bade, determined that California’s regulations “meaningfully constrain” the fundamental right to maintain functional firearms. Their reasoning was logical and straightforward: firearms without ammunition serve no purpose for self-defense, making the right to acquire bullets an essential component of gun ownership itself.
The second part of the analysis required California to demonstrate that its restrictions matched historical precedents from the founding era or the Reconstruction period. The state scrambled to present examples like loyalty oaths and old gunpowder regulations. Still, most found these comparisons irrelevant or too removed from modern background check systems to justify the burden. California’s inability to produce a “well-established and representative historical analogue” sealed its fate. The court’s conclusion was unambiguous: “California’s ammunition background check regime violates the Second Amendment,” upholding the district court’s permanent injunction against enforcement.
A Win for CRPA and Gun Owners
“This is a big win for all gun owners in California,” said Olympic medalist Kim Rhode, the lead plaintiff, in a release from CRPA. “The courts, with proper review, noted that gun owners have the law on our side.” The California Rifle & Pistol Association, which led this crucial fight from the beginning, deserves enormous credit for its unwavering commitment to constitutional principles. “Today’s ruling represents continued affirmation that the Bruen decision, and Heller before that, represent a sea change,” said CRPA President Chuck Michel. The National Rifle Association provided essential support throughout multiple appeals, strengthening the case’s legal foundation and contributing to this significant victory.
While California will almost certainly seek an en banc review from the full Ninth Circuit, leaving some uncertainty about the immediate future of these restrictions, this ruling stands as a bright beacon of hope for Americans who refuse to surrender their constitutional protections.
For the Legal Nerds
Read the full Rhode v. Bonta ruling here [ [link removed] ].
Second Second Amendment Good News In A Week For Californians
Yes, this is the second day in a row I have brought you great 2A news Yesterday we talked about an important ruling in the ongoing case against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the rules and processes that make CCW permits hard to get, with waits to get permits that are astronomically long. If you missed my update yesterday, you can find it here [ [link removed] ].
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Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta fight gun rights with our tax dollars. But fighting back is expensive, and the “good guys” need to raise funds from Second Amendment supporters. If, like me, you’d consider giving, here’s a link to the CRPA Foundation [ [link removed] ]. That’s the right place to give.
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