Olympic Medalist Files Suit Against California Over Bullet Control

[Sedalia Dave]

The use of the Dormant Commerce Clause against Prop 63 will most likely end up at the Supreme Court.

 

Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode Files Suit Against California Over Bullet Control

 

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.