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Background checks on ammunition purchases begin next month in California

Background checks on ammunition purchases begin next month in California
BACKGROUND CHECK AND THE CHARGE. WALTER: GETTING AMMUNITION IS GOING TO GET MORE COMPLICATED. >> THE CHANGE IN THE LONG REQUIRES ANY INDIVIDUAL BUYING AMMUNITION TO GO THROUGH AN INSTANT BACKGROUND CHECK. WALTER: PROPOSITION 63 WAS PASSED IN 2016. AUTHORIZING THE STATE TO DO INSTANT BACKGROUND CHECKS ON CUSTOMERS BUYING BULLETS. THE BACKGROUND CHECK WILL COST ONE DOLLAR. EVERY TIME YOU MAKE A PURCHASE. EXACTLY HOW IT WILL WORK REMAINS A MYSTERY. EVEN TO THEM STORE OWNERS. >> I RECEIVED ONE EMAIL SO FAR. THAT W SIMPLY, HOW TO SETUP AN ACCOUNT WITH THE BE OJ SO THEY CAN COLLECT THEIR DOLLAR ON EVERY TRANSACTION. OTHER THAN THAT, I DON’T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO ROLLOUT. >> NOBODY CAN COME UP WITH ANY SOLID ANSWERS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. WALTER: DON SAYS THE SYSTEM WOULD CHECK TO SEE WHETHER EACH BUYER IS A FELON. IF THEY ARE NOT AN OWNER OF THAT KIND OF BULLET THEY ARE TRYING TO BUY, THEY CANNOT PURCHASE. >> YOU CAN’T BUY HER AMMO FOR HER. WALTER: OWNERS SAY BECAUSE OF THE UPCOMING CHANGES AND CONFUSION, SALES HAVE GONE UP. THIS STORE OWNER SAYS HE’S SOLD IN 10 DAYS WHAT NORMALLY TAKES HIM AN ENTIRE MONTH. >> EVERYBODY WHO SELLS AMMUNITION HAS DONE WELL IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. PEOPLE ARE RUSHING IN AND REALLY STOCKPILING. >> I THINK THE LAW WAS STIMULATING A BUYING FRENZY.
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Background checks on ammunition purchases begin next month in California
In two and a half weeks, getting ammunition in California is going to get a little more complicated due to a 2016 law. "A change in the law requires any individual buying ammunition to go through an instant background check," said Chris Puehse, who owns Foothill Ammo in Shingle Springs.Proposition 63 was passed back in 2016 by 63% of California voters authorizing the state to do instant background checks on customers buying bullets.The background check will cost $1 every time a purchase is made. Exactly how the process will work remains a mystery -- even to gun store owners."I've received one email from them so far, and that email was simply how to set up an account with the DOJ so they can collect their dollar on every transaction of business I do. Other than that, I don't know how this is going to roll out," Puehse said."Nobody can come up with any solid answers of what we got to do," said Don Reed, with DGS Ammo & Airguns in Sacramento.Reed said the system would check to see if each buyer is a felon and if they are a registered gun owner of the model gun they are buying ammo for. If they are not, they can't buy the ammo."If you have a gun and your wife has a gun and she's registered with that gun, you can't buy her ammo for her," Reed said.According to the owners, sales have gone up due to the changes and confusion. Puehse said he's sold in 10 days what normally takes him an entire month."Everyone that sells ammunition in the state has done really well selling ammunition. People are running in and really stockpiling," said Puehse. "I think that law is stimulating that buying frenzy, as we call it."Both store owners agree that, although business is up prior to the new law taking effect, a slump in sales is expected immediately following July 1.

In two and a half weeks, getting ammunition in California is going to get a little more complicated due to a 2016 law.

"A change in the law requires any individual buying ammunition to go through an instant background check," said Chris Puehse, who owns Foothill Ammo in Shingle Springs.

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Proposition 63 was passed back in 2016 by 63% of California voters authorizing the state to do instant background checks on customers buying bullets.

The background check will cost $1 every time a purchase is made. Exactly how the process will work remains a mystery -- even to gun store owners.

"I've received one email from them so far, and that email was simply how to set up an account with the DOJ so they can collect their dollar on every transaction of business I do. Other than that, I don't know how this is going to roll out," Puehse said.

"Nobody can come up with any solid answers of what we got to do," said Don Reed, with DGS Ammo & Airguns in Sacramento.

Reed said the system would check to see if each buyer is a felon and if they are a registered gun owner of the model gun they are buying ammo for. If they are not, they can't buy the ammo.

"If you have a gun and your wife has a gun and she's registered with that gun, you can't buy her ammo for her," Reed said.

According to the owners, sales have gone up due to the changes and confusion. Puehse said he's sold in 10 days what normally takes him an entire month.

"Everyone that sells ammunition in the state has done really well selling ammunition. People are running in and really stockpiling," said Puehse. "I think that law is stimulating that buying frenzy, as we call it."

Both store owners agree that, although business is up prior to the new law taking effect, a slump in sales is expected immediately following July 1.