The Wire · CalGunHub

DOJ Tells Sellers Ammunition Background Check Laws Remain in Effect

Published July 28, 2025 · Updated October 12, 2026

A July 28, 2025 DOJ bulletin told dealers the Ninth Circuit's Rhode ruling had not taken effect and background check requirements still applied.

Written by the CalGunHub desk from public reporting

Who this affects: DOJ instructed licensed dealers and ammunition sellers to keep running ammunition background checks after a Ninth Circuit panel ruling against the regime, because the ruling had not taken effect. The case was later reheard by a larger panel with no decision issued as of September 2026, so requirements remained administered. This is general information, not legal advice.

The California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms issued a bulletin dated July 28, 2025, to firearms dealers and ammunition sellers titled "Ammunition Purchase Laws Are Still in Effect: Rhode, et al. v. Bonta, No. 24-542 (9th Circuit)." According to the bulletin, the Ninth Circuit panel's July 24, 2025 opinion affirming a permanent injunction against the ammunition background check regime had not taken effect because the court's mandate had not issued, and DOJ directed dealers and sellers to continue following background check requirements. DOJ posted the same notice on its Bureau of Firearms homepage, where it remained as of the latest reviews. The Ninth Circuit subsequently granted rehearing en banc on December 1, 2025, vacating the panel opinion, and an 11-judge panel heard oral argument on March 25, 2026, according to a litigation tracking page. No en banc decision had issued as of a vendor tracking page review dated September 8, 2026, and the background check regime continued to be administered in the interim.

Informational only, not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above.