Ammo Access: Can Citizens Buy Law Enforcement Ammunition?

Ammunition laws in the United States vary from state to state, and there are also federal laws that restrict the sale, transfer, and possession of ammunition. While some states have strict laws prohibiting the sale of ammunition to certain individuals, others have more relaxed regulations. For example, in California, ammunition sales and possession are restricted in a similar way to guns, and vendors are required to report the loss or theft of any ammunition. In contrast, Iowa prohibits the sale of pistol ammunition to anyone under 21 without parental consent, while Illinois requires buyers to show a firearm identification card when purchasing ammunition. Federal law also imposes several restrictions, including prohibiting the possession of ammunition by convicted felons and regulating armor-piercing handgun bullets. Interestingly, despite laws and background checks, prohibited purchasers sometimes still acquire ammunition, as seen in Los Angeles where they bought 10,050 rounds in just two months. In terms of law enforcement ammunition, while manufacturers may label it as law enforcement only, it is generally not illegal for non-law enforcement personnel to purchase and use it.

Can a citizen buy law enforcement ammo?

Ammunition background check systems

Some states have implemented their own ammunition background check systems, which can vary in process and requirements. For example, states like New York and California have instituted background checks at the point of sale, requiring ammunition retailers to conduct background checks and maintain a database of purchaser information and purchase history. These systems have faced legal challenges, technological issues, and criticism for adding burdens and costs to hunters, shooters, and retailers.

California's ammunition background check system, which went into effect in July 2019, includes a Standard Ammunition Eligibility Check for $1 and a Basic Ammunition Eligibility Check for $19. The former is for individuals in the California Department of Justice's Automated Firearm System (AFS), while the latter is for those not in the system. Connecticut has an "ammunition permit" process that costs $35 and is valid for five years.

The effectiveness of ammunition background checks has been demonstrated in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Local law enforcement agencies used ammunition record-keeping ordinances to identify and prosecute criminals by comparing records of ammunition sales with records of convicted felons and other prohibited individuals. This led to numerous search warrants, felony charges, and the seizure of firearms and ammunition.

While ammunition background check systems aim to enhance public safety, they can also present challenges for law-abiding citizens and businesses. The implementation and impact of these systems continue to be a subject of debate and legal proceedings in various states.

Ammunition transfer and possession restrictions

Some states, like Delaware, have their own laws that prohibit certain individuals from purchasing, possessing, or controlling ammunition. For example, in Delaware, anyone convicted of the illegal sale or possession of narcotics is prohibited from purchasing, possessing, or controlling ammunition. Iowa has similar laws, prohibiting the sale, loan, or gift of pistol ammunition to anyone under 21 and long-gun ammunition to anyone under 18 without parental consent.

Other states, like Illinois and Massachusetts, require ammunition purchasers to display a firearm identification card (FOID) when buying ammunition. FOID cards are similar to driver's licenses and are required for almost all ammunition purchases, including those between private parties. In Massachusetts, there are two types of FOID cards: Class A for large-firing capacity guns and their corresponding ammunition purchases, and Class B for smaller capacity firearms and ammunition.

In addition to state-specific laws, there are also restrictions on the types of ammunition that can be sold. Federal law prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, or delivery of armor-piercing ammunition, with very limited exceptions. At least 11 states, including Connecticut, also ban the sale or possession of armor-piercing bullets.

Transporting firearms and ammunition is also subject to regulations. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) considers a firearm to be loaded when both the firearm and ammunition are accessible to the passenger. Ammunition must be transported in checked baggage and securely boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.

Ammunition ID codes

In the United States, federal and state laws restrict the sale, possession, and transfer of ammunition to certain groups of people. These groups include convicted felons, controlled substance users, individuals under domestic violence restraining orders, and minors. Some states, like Delaware, have additional restrictions, such as prohibiting anyone ever committed to a mental institution from purchasing ammunition unless they obtain a medical certificate stating that they no longer suffer from a mental disorder.

To aid in law enforcement investigations and deter the use of guns in crimes, some states have implemented microstamping laws. California's microstamping law, which went into effect in 2013, requires all firearms to imprint a unique alpha-numeric code on the cartridge case when fired. Ammunition serialization is another law enforcement tool that could assist in solving gun-related crimes. Serialization would require manufacturers to stamp a unique microscopic code or serial number on all bullets and cartridge cases, which would be recorded along with the purchaser's information at the time of purchase.

While ammunition ID codes can provide valuable information for collectors and law enforcement, it's important to note that these markings can sometimes be deliberately deceiving. For example, some .30 carbine ammunition made by the Chinese has been marked with "LC 52," possibly to hide its true source of supply.

Ammunition marketing to civilians

Federal and state laws impose various restrictions on ammunition sales, purchases, and possession. Federal law, for instance, prohibits the sale of long gun ammunition to those under 18 and handgun ammunition to those under 21. It also prohibits convicted felons, controlled substance users, and individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders from purchasing or possessing ammunition. Some states have additional restrictions, such as Delaware, which bars anyone convicted of the illegal sale or possession of narcotics from purchasing or controlling ammunition.

Despite these regulations, there is growing concern about the marketing and sale of militarized weapons and ammunition to civilians. The gun industry's embrace of militarization has led to a heightened lethality in the products marketed to civilians. This includes assault rifles, assault pistols, and assault shotguns, which have no place in the civilian market. The Violence Policy Center, a national educational organization working to prevent gun deaths and injuries, has long warned of the dangers posed by assault weapons and advocated for a ban on their sale to civilians.

The easy access to military-grade ammunition and weapons has had devastating consequences, as evidenced by mass shootings in recent years. In these tragedies, shooters have praised the ammunition's ability to penetrate barriers effectively, highlighting the direct link between the marketing of militarized weapons and the increased lethality of gun violence. To address this issue, stricter regulations and a reevaluation of marketing strategies are necessary to ensure that dangerous weapons and ammunition are kept out of the hands of civilians.

Ammunition record-keeping ordinances

The specific information required to be recorded varies by jurisdiction but typically includes the purchaser's name, address, and thumbprint. In some cases, the record may also include the type and quantity of ammunition purchased, the date and time of the sale, and the purchaser's firearm identification card or license information.

Ammunition dealers are required to keep these records on the licensed premises and make them available for inspection by law enforcement officers. For example, in Inglewood, California, police officers may enter the premises of any licensed ammunition vendor during regular business hours to examine or inspect the records.

Some states have also implemented microstamping laws, which require firearms to imprint a unique alpha-numeric code on the cartridge case when fired. This allows law enforcement to trace the bullet back to the firearm it was fired from, aiding in the investigation of shooting crimes.

In addition to record-keeping ordinances, several states have enacted other regulations on ammunition sales, purchases, and possession. These include age restrictions, background check requirements, and prohibitions on the sale or transfer of ammunition to certain individuals, such as convicted felons, controlled substance users, and those subject to domestic violence restraining orders.

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