Transporting ammo into CA

[CSACANNONEER]

Does that apply to nonresidents who are only bringing in ammo for their personal use, such as an IDPA or USPSA match? If so, how would they obtain sufficient ammo without a current CA address?

Edit. What jeremiah12 posted appears to omit importing ammunition for personal use. So is there more that would prevent CA residents from merely traveling to Oregon, Nevada or Arizona to purchase their ammunition?

Where do you see anything in PC 30312 that exempts a CA resident from going through a LAV when importing ANY amount of ammo for "personal use". I sure don't see an exemption for that.

[BAJ475]

Where do you see anything in PC 30312 that exempts a CA resident from going through a LAV when importing ANY amount of ammo for "personal use". I sure don't see an exemption for that.

It was merely a question.

[CSACANNONEER]

It was merely a question.

Actually, I forgot the "?" but, mine was a question as well.

[Scooooter7]

These ammo laws have to be one of the silliest of all the laws here in California.

Couldn't agree more, and am so glad I moved after 43 years in CA.

[jeremiah12]

Does that apply to nonresidents who are only bringing in ammo for their personal use, such as an IDPA or USPSA match? If so, how would they obtain sufficient ammo without a current CA address?

Edit. What jeremiah12 posted appears to omit importing ammunition for personal use. So is there more that would prevent CA residents from merely traveling to Oregon, Nevada or Arizona to purchase their ammunition?

Importation of ammo is covered under California Penal Code 30314:

a) Commencing January 1, 2018, a resident of this state shall not bring or transport into this state any ammunition that he or she purchased or otherwise obtained from outside of this state unless he or she first has that ammunition delivered to a licensed ammunition vendor for delivery to that resident pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 30312 .

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:

(1) An ammunition vendor.

(2) A sworn peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830 ) of Title 3 of Part 2, or sworn federal law enforcement officer, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course and scope of the officer's duties.

(3) An importer or manufacturer of ammunition or firearms who is licensed to engage in business pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921 ) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

(4) A person who is on the centralized list of exempted federal firearms licensees maintained by the Department of Justice pursuant to Article 6 (commencing with Section 28450 ) of Chapter 6 of Division 6.

(5) A person who is licensed as a collector of firearms pursuant to Chapter 44 (commencing with Section 921 ) of Title 18 of the United States Code and the regulations issued pursuant thereto, whose licensed premises are within this state, and who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of Justice pursuant to Section 26710 .

(6) A person who acquired the ammunition from a spouse, registered domestic partner, or immediate family member as defined in Section 16720 .

(c) A violation of this section is an infraction for any first time offense, and either an infraction or a misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.

So California residents are not legally to import ammo unless they fall into one of the exceptions.

I bolded the one that applies to the OP. This is the one I use when I drive to visit my son in Illinois a few times a year. I stop at the Cabelas in Sydney, Nebraska and a few other stores along the way and pay less than I would in CA. My wife is with me. So she pays and gives the ammo to me. In Illinois, I give my son the money and he pays and gives the ammo to me.

Noticed the wording states "...or otherwise obtained" so it does not have to be a gift. You can pay for it. You just have to have the other person give it to you.

Non-residents cannot purchase ammo in CA. They are legally able to as the law is written. The state's system does not have the ability to process transactions for non-residents. So non-residents have to bring what then need. I would imagine that those hosting IDPA or USPSA matches could sell ammo for the match under the target facility exemption but they would have to have some mechanism to monitor that the ammo was used on site.

My LGR stopped ammo sales because they did not want to deal with ensuring that those who purchased ammo did not take it off the range. They would have to limit sales to one box at a time or provide storage lockers for people to store the excess because they cannot take returns on ammo that people purchased but did not use at the range that day.

[jeremiah12]

Two different things are at play here. First of all, if his dad isn't a licensed ammunition manufacturer, he can't legally load for others. Secondly, unless the transfer is expressly exempted under CA law, it has to go through a licensed ammunition vendor period. Not all LAVs are FFLs so, it might not have to go through an FFL but, it will have to go through a LAV.

I was curious about the need to get a license to manufacture ammunition. I finally had time to search for that this morning and here is what I found.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/person-who-reloads-ammunition-required-be-licensed-manufacturer

Yes, if the person engages in the business of selling or distributing reloads for the purpose of livelihood and profit.

No, if the person reloads only for personal use.

So, the ATF, as usual is as clear as mud. On one hand it says a license is needed if a person engages in the business of selling or distributing reloads for a profit but on the other hand it says no for reloading for personal use.

For the OP, is father is loading for the friend. From the other searches I did, many believe that it is okay to reload for friends and family as long as they are not charging for the ammo. I could find no federal prosecution for such a situation, though that does not mean it has not happened.

Then the second part of your statement, the transfer would be exempt if it went between the father and the son. The father could even send the ammo directly to his son as long as it was properly packaged and labeled.

[Jimi Jah]

Don't ask, don't tell.

Irish democracy.

[Chewy65]

I doubt you would have a problem charging for ammo reloaded for friends, if you only charge enough to cover the cost of supplies. The key is profit. Few would ever engage in a business without an intent to make a profit.

[BAJ475]

I doubt you would have a problem charging for ammo reloaded for friends, if you only charge enough to cover the cost of supplies. The key is profit. Few would ever engage in a business without an intent to make a profit.

If it is not with the intent to make a profit, it is a hobby.

[Jrkotz]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Looks like his dad shipping directly or me flying it in are the best options. Appreciate it!