Judicial Ruling Calls California Proposing Required Background Checks For Ammo Purchases Unconstitutional

California has some of the most strict gun laws in the nation, much to the chagrin of many hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. The state had proposed legislation that could require background checks for those who purchases ammunition, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling has called that proposal “unconstitutional.” Here’s KCRA TV in Sacramento with more:

Many states, including California, make people pass a background check before they can buy a gun. California went a step further by requiring a background check, which costs either $1 or $19 depending on eligibility, every time someone buys buy bullets.

Last year, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez decided that the law was unconstitutional because if people can’t buy bullets, they can’t use their guns for self-defense.

The 9th Circuit agreed. Writing for two of the three judges on the appellate panel, Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta said the state law “meaningfully constrains” the constitutional right to keep arms by forcing gun owners to get rechecked before each purchase of bullets.

“The right to keep and bear arms incorporates the right to operate them, which requires ammunition,” the judge wrote.