Firearms without ammunition are only as dangerous as other blunt objects. While the purchase of firearms in the United States is regulated and restricted by federal laws, ammunition sales are not subject to the same regulations. Though firearm regulations vary between states, the laws governing ammunition also differ.
The Laws on Ammunition in the States.
Six states have laws in place regulating the sale of ammunition and mandating background checks for such purchases. This includes New York, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Other states limit ammunition access via age restrictions or preventing certain people of risk from acquiring it. The following table details the regulations each state has in place.
New York.
The state passed a law in 2013, requiring any purchaser of “commercial transfer” ammunition to first go through a background check, to be conducted via a statewide license and record database.
California.
Voters approved Proposition 63 in 2016, stipulating that all ammo purchases have to go through or be conducted with a licensed vendor, who must conduct the background check. This includes both mail-order sales and those between unlicensed individuals.
Connecticut.
The law established in 2013 allows state agencies to grant “ammunition certificates”. The certificates have a 5-year expiration date, and it is illegal to sell or transfer ammo unless the purchaser presents a firearm permit or ammunition certificate.
Illinois.
The residents of the state need a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card in order to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition. FOID cards are valid for 10 years.
Massachusetts.
To buy ammunition, the people of Massachusetts need to obtain a firearm permit or license. There are three types of permits, namely the Firearms Identification Card (FID), the License to Carry Firearms (LTCA), and the Class 3 or “Green Card” permit for fully automatic firearms.
New Jersey.
The residents are generally forbidden from getting any handgun ammo without presenting a valid firearm purchaser identification card or a permit to purchase a handgun. The firearm identification card for ammo does not expire, however the permits to purchase handguns will lapse after 90 days, but can be renewed for an additional 90-day period.