Olympic Medalist Files Suit Against California Over Bullet Control

California thought they were onto something. Since they can’t seem to control guns, even though they really keep trying to, they decided to control bullets instead. After all, what could go wrong with that.

Advertisement

Well, now the state is staring down the barrel of a lawsuit. It seems that six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode takes a bit of exception to the new rules.

The Olympian, who is on the 75-member board of the National Rifle Association, was joined in the lawsuit by its state affiliate, the California Rifle & Pistol Association, as well as a number of out of state ammo retailers who can no longer ship their products directly to state resident’s homes under the new rules.

The 31-page lawsuit argues Prop 63, which Second Amendment advocates characterized as “Gunmageddon,” outlaws direct mail order ammunition sales, puts all transfers of ammo under a “burdensome registration scheme,” imposes costly fees and price increases on bullet sales and mires would-be vendors in piles of Sacramento red tape. As such, it not only violates the Dormant Commerce Clause by discriminating against interstate commerce but also tramples on the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Rhode, who made history in 2016 to become the first woman to medal in six straight Olympics, argues she is required to use special competition ammunition sanctioned by her sport’s governing bodies, which she receives from a training facility in Arizona and brings back into the state. She also regularly has ammo sent to her home, range, and coach by sponsors, needed as she fires an average of 800 rounds daily to keep on top of her game. Now, with Prop 63, both means of obtaining her needed ammunition are illegal.

In other words, the law is interfering with Rhode’s ability to do business. She’s the first woman to medal at six different Olympic games, making her something of a sports hero in this country, and California’s law directly impacts her ability to continue to compete.

Advertisement

Her alternative is to leave California for another state, which is what she might have to do if the state continues to screw with law-abiding gun owners like this.

Rhode is being prevented from training for her sport because of this law. That is indisputable. Anyone with half a brain knows she is being impacted negatively by this law.

Further, while violent crime was predicted to drop in California during 2018, none of that is apparently attributed to ammunition restrictions. None.

In other words, the people most likely to be impacted by a law like this are lawful shooters. Criminals aren’t that affected. It’s just over three hours from Los Angeles to Arizona by car. If you’re already willing to shoot people, do you really care about crossing state lines with ammunition?

Again, the only people being hurt are people like Rhode who want to be law-abiding citizens but are thwarted by rules that keep them from doing something they should lawfully be able to do.

But then again, it’s California. What do you expect?

Join the conversation as a VIP Member