Starting July 1, 2025, California’s Department of Justice (DOJ) will raise the fee for standard ammunition background checks from $1 to $5 per transaction, according to a notice spotted by Reddit user u/game98killer at a Sportsman’s Warehouse location. The sign, aimed at ammunition customers, confirms that the new fee structure is just days away from taking effect – and the reaction from gun owners has been loud and clear: this is just another blow in the state’s long-running war on legal firearm ownership.
A Fee That Feels Like a Tax
William, host of the Copper Jacket TV YouTube channel, broke the news in a recent video, calling the increase “yet another financial barrier” designed to discourage law-abiding Californians from exercising their Second Amendment rights. “This is going to affect low-income and working-class people the most,” he explained. “They’re the ones who can’t afford to buy in bulk or drive to Nevada. This isn’t about safety – it’s about making self-defense expensive.” William argued that even the original $1 fee was unconstitutional. Now at $5, the burden is unmistakable.
Reddit Reacts: ‘Looks Like Less Trips to the Shop’
Over on Reddit’s r/CAguns, the reaction has been sharp and sarcastic. “Looks like less trips to the shop and more bulk buys,” wrote u/DistributionKey7852, a sentiment echoed by dozens of users. u/d8ed didn’t hold back either: “This literally [screws] over poor people who can’t load up in bulk… a 500%-400% increase is such [nonsense].” The feeling across the board is that this isn’t about administrative costs; it’s about pushing people out of the market altogether.
Not a Flat Fee – It Adds Up Quickly
William pointed out that the $5 is per transaction, not per day or per batch. That means even if someone buys a single box of ammo, the full $5 fee applies. Combined with California’s already high taxes, including the additional 11% excise tax on firearms and ammo, this turns what used to be a $10 purchase into something closer to $17 or $18. “It’s death by a thousand cuts,” one Redditor put it. Another, u/The_Demolition_Man, agreed: “Not the end of the world, but it is death by a thousand cuts.”
Copper Jacket TV: No Cap on Future Increases
What makes the fee hike even more troubling, according to William, is that there’s nothing in the law limiting how high it can go in the future. “Today it’s $5, next year it could be $10, $15, even $20,” he warned. There is no ceiling. “They say it’s to cover the cost of administering the checks, but in reality, it’s just a blank check written on your rights,” William added. Without legislative limits, the system can easily be abused in the years ahead.
Workarounds Are Legal – If You Can Afford Them
Many users in the Reddit thread pointed to a workaround: obtaining a Federal Firearms License (FFL) type 03 (Curio & Relic), along with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the California DOJ. This combination exempts buyers from both the background check fee and many of the associated taxes. “I got an FFL03 since I started shooting and never bought ammo in a store,” shared u/eacc69420. Another user, u/Thee_Sinner, explained, “Having FFL03 and CoE exempts you from the background check and tax when buying in person as well.”
A Growing Number Turn to Online Ammo Orders
According to multiple users on r/CAguns, FFL03 and COE holders often turn to online retailers for better pricing and to avoid the state’s fee structure altogether. “I’ve never paid the 11%,” wrote u/Thee_Sinner. “Only once did they charge regular tax on an online order.” Others mentioned that getting the license has already paid for itself in a matter of months. But again, this solution requires upfront paperwork, fees, and a willingness to be on record with the DOJ and ATF – something not everyone is comfortable with.
Skepticism and Surveillance Fears
Still, some commenters remain skeptical. One user, u/under–no–pretext, voiced concern about privacy: “I don’t want the DOJ to be able to use it as a pretense for searching my house if I ever end up on their radar.” In response, others reassured that the DOJ doesn’t have that power without due process, though concerns about being placed on lists or targeted later were common throughout the thread. As u/Thee_Sinner put it bluntly, “It’s not a fee. It’s a tax.”
More Fees, Less Safety
One user summed it up with biting sarcasm: “So much safer now,” wrote u/DannyMeatlegs. The increase, critics argue, won’t stop criminals, who don’t buy ammo legally anyway, but will hit legal gun owners hardest. “This will make the felons and gangs reconsider using public streets as shooting ranges… right?” asked u/dashiGO, mocking the supposed logic behind the fee hike. Others questioned where the money goes. u/WEAPONSGRADEPOTATO2 offered a cynical answer: “The ammo fee is charged so they can pay for charging the ammo fee system.”
Planning Ahead: Bulk or Border?
As the July 1 date approaches, many Californians are preparing to make bulk purchases before the hike kicks in. Others are planning road trips to nearby states. “Time to visit some of California’s neighbors,” wrote u/NTWM420. However, as u/koraanikokkoon pointed out, after a few trips, the cost of gas makes a strong case for getting licensed instead: “Unless you live close to a border… you’ll have spent more in gas than on the FFL03/COE. Mine cost $126 total.”
A Wallet-Based Rights Test
Let’s be clear: California isn’t banning ammo. They’re just making it so expensive and inconvenient that fewer people can access it. That’s not public safety. That’s financial gatekeeping. What makes this more dangerous than a direct ban is how quietly it operates. No headlines. No debates. Just a slow bleed that pushes working-class citizens out of the gun-owning community. Rights shouldn’t be reserved for the wealthy, but this fee hike moves the state further in that direction.
Watch the Law, Not the Headlines
California’s gun laws are a moving target. Just as the Ninth Circuit struck down the unconstitutional “one gun every 30 days” rule, the state responded by quietly hiking fees elsewhere. William from Copper Jacket TV emphasized the importance of staying informed. “You only have one more week before this increase takes effect,” he warned. Whether you’re a regular range-goer or a new gun owner trying to navigate the system, this change is another reminder: California’s war on gun ownership isn’t just about legislation – it’s about attrition.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.