https://apnews.com/article/california-guns-ammunition-background-checks-3e67fefa928f5228ead332c7fe18f3cd
U.S. NEWS
Californians don’t have to pass a background check every time they buy bullets, federal judge rules
FILE - Chris Puehse, owner of Foothill Ammo, displays .45-caliber ammunition for sale at his store in Shingle Springs, Calif., on June 11, 2019. A federal judge on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, struck down a California law requiring people pay for a background check every time they purchase ammunition. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
FILE - Chris Puehse, owner of Foothill Ammo, displays .45-caliber ammunition for sale at his store in Shingle Springs, Calif., on June 11, 2019. A federal judge on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, struck down a California law requiring people pay for a background check every time they purchase ammunition. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)


BY ADAM BEAM
Updated 6:48 PM EST, January 31, 2024
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California residents don’t have to pay for and pass a background check every time they buy bullets, a federal judge has ruled.

The Tuesday ruling by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez took effect immediately. California Attorney General Rob Bonta asked Benitez on Wednesday to delay the ruling to give him time to appeal the decision. It’s unclear if Benitez will grant that request.

Many states, including California, make people pass a background check before they can buy a gun. California goes a step further by requiring a background check, which cost either $1 or $19 depending on eligibility, every time people buy bullets. A few other states also require background checks for buying ammunition, but most let people buy a license that is good for a few years.