2018 is already off to a rough start in California as DOJ has failed to implement the necessary regulations to allow ammunition vendors to sell ammunition. As previously reported, recent changes to California law require ammunition vendors, businesses that sell ammunition but who are not licensed to sell firearms, to be in possession of a valid ammunition vendor license by January 1, 2018 in order to continue selling ammunition in California. The law required DOJ to implement the necessary regulations no later than July 1, 2017, but DOJ failed to even propose the regulations until July 14, 2017. Those regulations are still pending as the Office of Administrative Law has until January 16 to render a decision. As a result, many ammunition vendors remain in limbo on how to conduct their business because of the failure to implement the necessary regulations in a timely manner. Efforts by NRA and CRPA attorneys to have DOJ stay enforcement have fallen on deaf ears.
In addition to the new ammunition vendor requirements, school administrators no longer have the authority to allow carry by persons with concealed carry permits onto school campuses as a result of AB 424 passed in 2017. Further, those with newly classified “assault weapons” have until July 1, 2018 to register their firearms as “assault weapons,” or convert them to compliant or featureless configurations. More information can be obtained by viewing one of our several webinars. Background checks on ammunition purchases do not go into effect until July 1, 2019.
The legislature will convene on Wednesday January 3. Continue to check your inbox and the California Stand and Fight webpage for updates on legislation as it is introduced and moves through the legislative process along with other issues impacting your Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage in California.