A: Beginning January 1, 2018, all ammunition sales must occur in face-to-face transactions (no online ammunition sales in California) and the seller needs a valid Ammunition Vendor License in order to sell more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period.
California has recently enacted new laws regarding ammunition sales due to the passing of their Proposition 63. There are two major changes to the way ammunition is treated in California:
Ammunition sales in California must occur in face-to-face transactions, and
Certain sellers of ammunition in California need an Ammunition Vendor License.
This is obviously bad for gun rights and our industry.
There’s no more online ammunition sales in California, and now certain California ammunition sellers (that sell more than 500 rounds a month) need to apply for an additional license!
To make matters even worse, California is already having problems figuring out how to accept and process applications and issue California ammunition vendor permits.
However, if you’re already a Gun Dealer in California (or you’ve been thinking about becoming one by becoming an FFL) there’s a bit of good news:
California Licensed Firearm Dealers (FFLs) are automatically considered Licensed Ammunition Vendors!
Licensed Ammunition Vendor
Due to Prop 63, if you’d like to sell over 500 rounds of ammunition a month in California, you’ve got two options:
Ok, we’re a bit biased, but we think that the best option is to get an FFL!
As mentioned above, gun dealers in California are automatically deemed California Ammunition Vendors. This means you can sell ammunition in California AND you can purchase guns at a discount, have them delivered right to you, and make money selling guns.
To be clear, there are a few states that require that you jump through some extra hoops to be a gun dealer – California is one of them! In our Get Your FFL guide, we detail the extra steps necessary to be a gun dealer in California.
As is all too common for the absolutely broken (inept) California government/bureaucracy, the state hasn’t even figured out/made it clear how to process ammunition transactions! We’ll update this page with more info as we have it.
01/01/2018: It is unclear what paperwork (if any) a licensed ammunition vendor or FFL must complete for sales, what the fee (if any) might be, how (if) to charge tax on 3rd party transfers, etc. All we know at this point is that an ammunition vendors license is needed in California (unless you’re an FFL). Also, for those that have applied for licenses, they haven’t been issued yet.
\r\n\r\nBeginning January 1, 2018, a valid ammunition vendor license is required for any person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise to sell more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period. (See California Penal Code section 30342.) The Department of Justice is authorized to issue the license, which is valid for a period of one year. Providing the requirements are met, a licensed firearm dealer is automatically deemed a licensed ammunition vendor. All other vendors must apply for, and receive, the annual license before selling ammunition. If an application is denied, the Department will inform the applicant of the reason for the denial in writing. (See California Penal Code section 30385.)\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nIn accordance with these provisions, the Department has received and processed more than 225 applications for ammunition vendor licenses since July 2017. The Department expects to issue a license electronically, upon approval of its regulations.\r\n\r\n“,
“_text_content”: “field_6071c2a25b20f”,
“author”: “”,
“_author”: “field_6071c2a25b200”
},
“align”: false,
“mode”: “edit”
} /–>
\r\n
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT AMMUNITION VENDOR LICENSES<\/h3>\r\n \r\n\r\nBeginning January 1, 2018, a valid ammunition vendor license is required for any person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise to sell more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period. (See California Penal Code section 30342.) The Department of Justice is authorized to issue the license, which is valid for a period of one year. Providing the requirements are met, a licensed firearm dealer is automatically deemed a licensed ammunition vendor. All other vendors must apply for, and receive, the annual license before selling ammunition. If an application is denied, the Department will inform the applicant of the reason for the denial in writing. (See California Penal Code section 30385.)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn accordance with these provisions, the Department has received and processed more than 225 applications for ammunition vendor licenses since July 2017. The Department expects to issue a license electronically, upon approval of its regulations.\r\n\r\n“,
“_text_content”: “field_6071c2a25b20f”,
“author”: “”,
“_author”: “field_6071c2a25b200”
},
“align”: false,
“mode”: “edit”
} /–>
\r\n
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT AMMUNITION VENDOR LICENSES<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\nBeginning January 1, 2018, a valid ammunition vendor license is required for any person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise to sell more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period. (See California Penal Code section 30342.) The Department of Justice is authorized to issue the license, which is valid for a period of one year. Providing the requirements are met, a licensed firearm dealer is automatically deemed a licensed ammunition vendor. All other vendors must apply for, and receive, the annual license before selling ammunition. If an application is denied, the Department will inform the applicant of the reason for the denial in writing. (See California Penal Code section 30385.)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn accordance with these provisions, the Department has received and processed more than 225 applications for ammunition vendor licenses since July 2017. The Department expects to issue a license electronically, upon approval of its regulations.\r\n\r\n“,
“_text_content”: “field_6071c2a25b20f”,
“author”: “”,
“_author”: “field_6071c2a25b200”
},
“align”: false,
“mode”: “edit”
} /–>
\r\n
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT AMMUNITION VENDOR LICENSES<\/h3>\r\n \r\n\r\nBeginning January 1, 2018, a valid ammunition vendor license is required for any person, firm, corporation, or other business enterprise to sell more than 500 rounds of ammunition in any 30-day period. (See California Penal Code section 30342.) The Department of Justice is authorized to issue the license, which is valid for a period of one year. Providing the requirements are met, a licensed firearm dealer is automatically deemed a licensed ammunition vendor. All other vendors must apply for, and receive, the annual license before selling ammunition. If an application is denied, the Department will inform the applicant of the reason for the denial in writing. (See California Penal Code section 30385.)\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn accordance with these provisions, the Department has received and processed more than 225 applications for ammunition vendor licenses since July 2017. The Department expects to issue a license electronically, upon approval of its regulations.\r\n\r\n“,
“_text_content”: “field_6071c2a25b20f”,
“author”: “”,
“_author”: “field_6071c2a25b200”
},
“align”: false,
“mode”: “edit”
} /–>
Ryan Cleckner is a former special operations sniper and current attorney specializing in firearms law/ATF compliance and is a firearms industry executive (former govt. relations manager for NSSF, Vice President of Remington Outdoor Company, and a SAAMI voting board member).
Recommended Posts
Get Your FFL in Maine (ME): Step-by-Step Guide [2023]
The State of Maine allows Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders to sell, distribute, and manufacture firearms within its borders. Gun dealers will find Maine a pleasant state to do business in, with an abundance of hunting, constitutional carry, and less restrictive gun laws than most states. There are just a few requirements to get your […]
By
Ryan Cleckner
FFL Requirements – How To Qualify for a Firearm License [2023]
Ok, you’re thinking about becoming a firearms dealer or even a licensed manufacturer and you know that you’ll need to become a federal firearms licensee (get an FFL), but you’re not sure about the requirements for becoming an FFL holder. We get it – the whole process can seem complicated, and possibly overwhelming. First, you’ll […]
By
Ryan Cleckner
Responsible Person for FFL Guide [2023] – ATF Requirements
So, you’re either thinking about getting your FFL, or you already have an FFL license and are curious about Responsible Persons (RPs). We get it – there’s a lot of confusion about Responsible Persons on FFLs. We hear questions about RPs like: We’ll cover these questions in this Responsible Person Guide. Of course, the basics […]
By
Ryan Cleckner
13 thoughts on “California Ammunition Law 2018 Explained”
So being a valid C&R holder and a valid C.O.E. holder. I can purchase ammunition from another state and transport it back to California. Is this correct?
Short answer:
– Good grief people – Read Ryan’s replies to previous CA interstate Ammo questions !!
Long answer:
– Every state has different statutory requirements and legalities … so with 50 states, that translates to ZILLIONS of diff regulations. There are ZERO attornies w/ licenses for all 50 states, so don’t expect any to answer every legal question you can come up with! Consult w/ an attorney from California, and also possibly one from your own state, the one the ammo is sourced from.
Phil: I believe the answer to your question is no, but since I’m not an attorney, don’t take it as legal advice!!
So being a valid C&R holder and a valid C.O.E. holder. I can purchase ammunition from another state and transport it back to California. Is this correct?
Short answer:
– Good grief people – Read Ryan’s replies to previous CA interstate Ammo questions !!
Long answer:
– Every state has different statutory requirements and legalities … so with 50 states, that translates to ZILLIONS of diff regulations. There are ZERO attornies w/ licenses for all 50 states, so don’t expect any to answer every legal question you can come up with! Consult w/ an attorney from California, and also possibly one from your own state, the one the ammo is sourced from.
Phil: I believe the answer to your question is no, but since I’m not an attorney, don’t take it as legal advice!!
States need to take their rights back. Regulating firearms and ammunition is not a State right. I wish more people understood that as tyranny creeps.