California suffers a blow in the fight against gun violence after court ruling

• California court declares law unconstitutional.
• Background checks for ammunition suspended.
• Governor Newsom laments court ruling.

A court of appeals has ruled that California’s law requiring background checks for ammunition purchases is unconstitutional.

This law, approved by voters in 2016, was seen as a step forward in the state’s fight against gun violence.

However, the ruling represents a significant setback for gun control efforts in the region.

A panel from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision of a lower court, according to Efe news agency.

California suspends ammunition law

A voter-backed California law requiring background checks for people who buy bullets is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday in a blow to the state’s efforts to combat gun violence.https://t.co/ROFdUXmZXD

— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) July 25, 2025

The court concluded that the law, backed by 63% of voters, violates the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. After its implementation in 2019, the law was suspended.

Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta, who led the ruling, emphasized that the law restricts the constitutional right to possess functional firearms.

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In her opinion, California’s ammunition background check system constitutes an infringement on the right to bear arms.

The judge explained that the state failed to demonstrate that the law was consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions, which have ruled in favor of gun ownership.

Impact on the Fight Against Gun Violence in California

‼️ Bullet Ban Blown Away: Court Crushes California’s Controversial Ammo Law.
🔗 https://t.co/RjRXr6t4ZW pic.twitter.com/a0vIvmHCbz

— Second Amendment Institute (@sainational) July 25, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom, a strong advocate for gun restrictions in California, called the ruling “a harsh blow to the progress” the state has made in recent years to combat gun violence.

Newsom lamented that the court’s decision ignored the voices of voters, who had supported the law by a wide margin.

He also pointed out that polls show strong public backing for universal background checks for ammunition and firearm buyers.

According to a 2023 Fox News poll, 87% of U.S. voters support criminal background checks for all gun purchasers.

Conclusion

California included the ammunition background check law as part of a broader effort to reduce gun violence.

The ruling against this legislation highlights a contrast between public support and judicial decisions that impact the implementation of gun control policies in the state.