California Ammo Laws

A couple of interesting gun-related statutes, which I’m just now learning about, are taking effect this July 1st, 2019. Proposition 63, which originally went to vote in 2017, had called for a background check on anyone purchasing ammunition in CA, as well as a ban on large-capacity magazines (which was later ruled unconstitutional) and passed 63.1% to 36.9%. Now, Prop 63 will just require the background check for ammo sales. Here’s an interesting visual of how CA voters were split on the original prop:

It’s not surprising that the opposition consisted of mostly rural counties that hold large undeveloped natural spaces where, coincidentally, according to a survey of deer hunters by the CDFW in 2015, a big percentage of deer hunters reside. I did notice in the survey that a major portion of deer hunters also lived in LA and Humboldt counties; both of which supported the proposition, but have relatively fewer hunters compared to their greater county populations.

Another bill, AB-711, which passed in 2013, will also take effect this July. 711 requires the use of non-lead ammunition when taking any wildlife with a firearm in California. The ban on toxic ammo in hunting first began nationwide in 1991, and only applied to waterfowl when it was found that lead shot had adverse effects on the environment and impacted wildlife that may have somehow consumed the shot. And according to the Institute of Wildlife Studies’ website on non-lead hunting, it’s also been discovered that lead rifle bullets can fragment and potentially impact surrounding wildlife. This new ban would now extend to non-waterfowl hunters, who would need to swap out their existing munitions and purchase non-lead ammo which can often be more expensive.

I don’t mind these new laws if it means a healthier environment and safer society, however I can see how they add extra steps and costs which add to the already high barrier of entry for new hunters.