California Laws on Ammunition

[<*(((><]

I'll be visiting California for Christmas and will be taking my Walther PPS M2, with all mags under 10 rounds. I know that I must keep the handgun unloaded and locked in a separate container from the magazines, and it cannot be the glove box. I have all that worked out, my question is with the current ammunition restrictions that were imposed on California what is legal regarding bringing loaded magazines into California?

The way I understand it is that ammunition cannot be transported across the California border that was purchased outside of California. And one has to have an ammunition permit of sorts to make ammunition purchases, I believe. So how do I, a resident of another state have ammunition for my firearm while I'm visiting? I don't have a problem stopping somewhere and purchasing ammunition in California, I just don't know if I can as an out of state resident.

Hopefully, someone from California can shed some light if I'm correct in my thinking, and with any solutions. This is my first time visiting since this ridiculous law.

If I run into a dead end here, I plan on calling down to a Sheriffs department and ask there, and probably still will.

 

[<*(((><]

I ended up calling a friend down there and also emailing a Sheriff's department. I'll post what I find out.

 

[danez71]

Im really not sure anyone can tell you because thr rules are still very much up in the air.

Please do post what you find out. The cpl

This has some good info and links.

https://www.gunownersca.com/news/department-justice-announces-proposed-ammo-regulations/

 

[Old Dog]

my question is with the current ammunition restrictions that were imposed on California what is legal regarding bringing loaded magazines into California?

The new laws aren't in effect until 07/2019, and what's published is confusing as hell. I just flew down a couple months ago with 100 rounds, returned from the San Diego airport through TSA no issues.
Below link current on NRA's states' gun laws website as of today:
https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws/california/

 

[Spats McGee]

That sounds like an excellent question. If I get some time later, I'll take a look. Until then, I'm just going to spam your thread so that I see it when someone else answers.

 

[labnoti]

First, you can transport the gun and the loaded magazines in the same locked container as long as the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun. The locked container cannot be the center console or glove box of the automobile, but there are no other specifications for the container other than the word, "secure." A credible interpretation of the law allows you to put the firearm(s) and loaded magazines in one backpack or duffle bag with a small padlock on the zippers. An alternative is to lock them in the trunk, even without another container. Just be sure the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun(s). Loaded magazines, loose ammo, ammo boxes, loaded speed-loaders and speed strips can also be transported without restrictions other than they cannot be inserted in the gun. It is not necessary to transport loaded magazines etc. in a locked container, but they can be transported in the same locked container as the gun. You can keep the loaded magazines in your pocket or anywhere else other than inserted in the gun.

Second, it is unlawful to bring ammunition into to California from other states, unless you order it online to be delivered to a dealer who can charge a fee to transfer it. The governor over-rode the rule requiring an ammunition permit and instead made a provision for anyone to buy ammo if they pay a $1 fee for a background check at the time of purchase. So the answer concerning ammo is that you can go to Walmart or anywhere else that sells ammo and buy it as soon as you get to California. You may have some hassle and a small fee, but it is not impossible. The background checks for ammo purchase will begin July 2019. For now, you only need to buy the ammo from an in-state dealer and in-person.

 

[<*(((><]

First, you can transport the gun and the loaded magazines in the same locked container as long as the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun. The locked container cannot be the center console or glove box of the automobile, but there are no other specifications for the container other than the word, "secure." A credible interpretation of the law allows you to put the firearm(s) and loaded magazines in one backpack or duffle bag with a small padlock on the zippers. An alternative is to lock them in the trunk, even without another container. Just be sure the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun(s). Loaded magazines, loose ammo, ammo boxes, loaded speed-loaders and speed strips can also be transported without restrictions other than they cannot be inserted in the gun. It is not necessary to transport loaded magazines etc. in a locked container, but they can be transported in the same locked container as the gun. You can keep the loaded magazines in your pocket or anywhere else other than inserted in the gun.

Second, it is unlawful to bring ammunition into to California from other states, unless you order it online to be delivered to a dealer who can charge a fee to transfer it. The governor over-rode the rule requiring an ammunition permit and instead made a provision for anyone to buy ammo if they pay a $1 fee for a background check at the time of purchase. So the answer concerning ammo is that you can go to Walmart or anywhere else that sells ammo and buy it as soon as you get to California. You may have some hassle and a small fee, but it is not impossible.

@labnoti thank you for the reply, so one cannot as an out of state resident bring ammo in. I was getting differing opinions, some stating it’s legal as long as you aren’t selling it. I was then just going to purchase ammo when getting there but knew about purchase restrictions as well and it seemed there was no way to have ammo along for the ride. And my PPS makes a pretty poor boomerang.

 

[labnoti]

Import for personal use is unlawful. If it wasn't everyone would just order it online. And the many people near the Nevada and Arizona borders (ok, Oregon too, but I'm not sure that's "many people") would just shop across the border.

From what I understand, the resolution voters passed was similar to a CCW license for ammo. The idea was that people would get a background check and then be cleared to buy ammo without a BGC for every purchase. They'd have their "buyer's card." Lots of people think that stinks, but if that's true, then so do CCW permits, which are overwhelmingly used as "buyers cards" compared to the much smaller portion of people who actually carry concealed. No matter what, it's an infringement and I'm not going to justify it. In any event, the California governor decided to over-ride the voter-approved resolution and allow for $1 BGC's at point of purchase. People speculate the voter-approved resolution would have a good chance of prevailing against the Governor's order in court, but that challenge hasn't gone through yet. None of that has been implemented yet (scheduled for July 2019), so in the mean time, any non-prohibited person can buy ammo in California, but import is restricted, even for personal use.

 

[Old Dog]

If you are NOT a resident of California, you CAN -- right now -- bring ammo in, as long as you are not going to transfer or sell it. That is the current law.

 

[bluzman]

If you are NOT a resident of California, you CAN -- right now -- bring ammo in, as long as you are not going to transfer or sell it. That is the current law.

This the correct answer. The law only restricts the actions of California residents.

 

[cheep]

RESIDENTS can only bring in 50rnds of ammo into this state, even if they transported it out and were going to bring it back...

 

[9mmepiphany]

If you are NOT a resident of California, you CAN -- right now -- bring ammo in, as long as you are not going to transfer or sell it. That is the current law.

This is the correct answer.

You can not sell or transfer the ammo. You need to either use it or take it back out of state with you when you leave

 

[captmoto]

First, you can transport the gun and the loaded magazines in the same locked container as long as the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun. The locked container cannot be the center console or glove box of the automobile, but there are no other specifications for the container other than the word, "secure." A credible interpretation of the law allows you to put the firearm(s) and loaded magazines in one backpack or duffle bag with a small padlock on the zippers. An alternative is to lock them in the trunk, even without another container. Just be sure the loaded magazines are not inserted in the gun(s). Loaded magazines, loose ammo, ammo boxes, loaded speed-loaders and speed strips can also be transported without restrictions other than they cannot be inserted in the gun. It is not necessary to transport loaded magazines etc. in a locked container, but they can be transported in the same locked container as the gun. You can keep the loaded magazines in your pocket or anywhere else other than inserted in the gun.

Second, it is unlawful to bring ammunition into to California from other states, unless you order it online to be delivered to a dealer who can charge a fee to transfer it. The governor over-rode the rule requiring an ammunition permit and instead made a provision for anyone to buy ammo if they pay a $1 fee for a background check at the time of purchase. So the answer concerning ammo is that you can go to Walmart or anywhere else that sells ammo and buy it as soon as you get to California. You may have some hassle and a small fee, but it is not impossible. The background checks for ammo purchase will begin July 2019. For now, you only need to buy the ammo from an in-state dealer and in-person.

The gun must have a clear chamber to be considered unloaded. Removing the magazine is not enough.

 

[Pat Riot]

Seriously. The correct answer would be to email / call the Bureau of Firearms with the California DOJ.
https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/contact
Phone: (916) 227-7527 - they don’t have a toll free number, if that’s a concern.

I am sure your trip is over now so this info is late but to anyone reading this in the future this might be helpful.
I have called them numerous times and they do call back. They will not email you back. The best thing to do is email them then they WILL call you. If you call them you seem to end up in electronic phone bureaucracy. Email them and wait for the call.

Like I said, I have talked with them several times. Just know that when they call, being typical bureaucrats with little boxes they have to check to achieve mediocrity they will call once and leave a message and will rarely call back a second time without another email being sent. If you can, take the call when they call. It will be from a 916 Area Code.

Good Luck