Purchasing ammunition in California

If you currently own a firearm:

If you have a firearm registered to your current address, there will be a $1.00 state fee for an instant background check. You must know the information CA has on file for your last firearm purchase (eg: which residence address you used for the purchase)

If you are purchasing a firearm:

If you purchased a firearm from us and are picking it up after your 10 day waiting period, you can purchase ammunition at pickup with no extra wait or fee. 

If you own a non-CA registered firearm:

If you would like to register a firearm that you already own to your current address, please go to: https://www.oag.ca.gov/firearms/online-reporting.

If none of the above:

If none of the above apply, you can still purchase ammunition with a $19.00 background check (same ID/document requirements as below) and a waiting period of several days, just like a firearm purchase. Each time you purchase ammunition this way you will need to do a background check and wait, only purchasing a firearm “keeps you in the system” allowing for an instant check.

About your license/documents:

You will need to present your driver's license when you are purchasing ammunition. You might also have to bring addition documents, depending on if:

• Your driver's license has a PO box address, you will also need to bring an acceptable bill or a government document with your physical address (ask ahead of time and we can clarify what does and doesn’t qualify)

• If your driver's license has "Federal Limits Apply" in the upper right-hand corner, then you will also need to bring your passport, birth certificate, or green card (those are the only acceptable items)

• Aliens will also have to bring their green card, or their I-94 Visa and a valid hunting license in order to purchase, even if they have a Real ID.