The lawsuit was brought by Olympic shooting legend Kim Rhode, a six-time medalist who challenged California’s law as an unconstitutional barrier to law-abiding gun owners. The court sided with Rhode, ruling that the state’s ammo background checks failed the legal test laid out in the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision.
Buying Ammo Is a Constitutional Right
The panel’s opinion hinged on two key findings:
- Buying ammunition is protected by the Second Amendment.
- There is no historical tradition in the U.S. of requiring background checks or registration to purchase ammunition.
This struck at the heart of California’s attempt to control ammo sales through a bureaucratic surveillance system.
Texas Leads the Way in the Opposite Direction
While California’s ruling elite worked for years to erect barriers to ammo and gun ownership, freedom-minded states like Texas are pushing forward with bold, pro-Second Amendment policies.
Chris McNutt, President of Texas Gun Rights, applauded the ruling while drawing a sharp contrast between the Golden State and the Lone Star State:
“This ruling is a win not just for California gun owners, but for all Americans who value their rights,” McNutt said. “Texas is going in the opposite direction. We’re fighting to eliminate sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and accessories—because exercising your rights shouldn’t come with a government surcharge.”
Texas Gun Rights has been leading the charge to enact legislation that would exempt firearms and related purchases from sales tax—making it easier and more affordable for law-abiding citizens to stay armed and equipped.
Ninth Circuit Transformation and the Road Ahead
The Ninth Circuit, long derided as hostile to gun rights, has undergone a quiet transformation in recent years—largely thanks to President Trump’s judicial appointments.
Though Governor Gavin Newsom has multiple options—including an appeal to the full Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court—either path risks further solidifying a nationwide precedent against ammo background checks.
Legal experts agree: this decision doesn’t just affect California. Other states like New York, which have implemented similar restrictions, are now standing on legally shaky ground.
A Turning Point for Gun Owners Nationwide
Texas Gun Rights and its national affiliate, the National Association for Gun Rights, see the Rhode v. Bonta decision as a potential turning point in the national battle over regulatory gun control.
“California’s ammo law was always about control—not safety,” said McNutt. “It was a backdoor registry designed to intimidate gun owners and make them think twice before exercising their rights. That kind of authoritarian nonsense has no place in Texas—or anywhere else in America.”
As ammo once again flows freely in California, gun owners across the nation are watching closely—and preparing for the next battle.
Because whether it’s fighting background checks, defeating registration schemes, or cutting taxes on gun purchases, the message from America’s gun rights advocates is clear: We’re not backing down.
