AG James joins fight to require background checks on ammo sales

June 23, 2020 Rob Abruzzese

New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP File

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A law passed in California could impact gun protections across the state, which is why Attorney General Letitia James filed an amicus brief on Monday in support of background checks on ammunition sales.

James joins a coalition of 16 attorneys general in support of the State of California in Rhode v. Becerra. The law in question requires gun dealers to conduct background checks prior to ammunition sales. It also requires that ammo sales occur face to face.

“The threat of gun violence continues to affect millions of Americans across the country every day, whether they live in New York, California or any other state,” said Attorney General James. “States have the right to take the necessary steps to ensure that their schools, their workplaces, and their houses of worship are not turned into killing fields.

Proposition 63, which passed in November 2016, also prohibits the possession of standard-capacity ammunition magazines, and places fines for failing to report guns that are lost or stolen, among other requirements. A lawsuit was brought in May 2017 and it has now reached California’s Ninth Circuit.

James’ brief argues that the Second Amendment allows states to enact new and varied measures in response to gun violence, and that states have a responsibility to prevent gun violence and protect public safety.

“These simple measures — approved by voters — are well within California’s rights and will stop tens of millions from unnecessarily being placed in harm’s way,” James said.

“The majority of Americans nationwide support universal background checks, which is why — until the federal government takes the necessary steps to protect Americans — states can and should continue to take the lead to end the senseless cycle of gun deaths that we’ve seen in Parkland, Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Charleston, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Aurora, El Paso, Virginia Beach, Newtown, and so many other devastated communities,” she added.