California Assembly Bill 962 (2009)

California Assembly Bill 962 (AB 962), introduced in 2009, was a piece of legislation concerning the regulation of handgun ammunition sales in California. The bill sought to prohibit the open display of handgun ammunition and mandate that vendors require identification from purchasers, recording their name, address, date of birth, and the brand, type, and amount of ammunition purchased. This information was to be retained and made available to law enforcement upon request.

The bill’s proponents argued it would help reduce gun violence by making it more difficult for criminals to obtain ammunition and aid in tracking illegal firearms activity. Opponents argued it would create unnecessary burdens on law-abiding gun owners, infringe on their Second Amendment rights, and be ineffective in preventing crime.

AB 962 passed the California State Assembly and Senate but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in October 2009. In his veto message, Governor Schwarzenegger cited concerns about the bill's enforceability, potential impact on legitimate gun owners, and ambiguity in its language. He suggested that existing laws were sufficient to address the problem and that further study was needed before enacting new regulations. Following the veto, efforts to regulate ammunition sales in California continued, leading to subsequent legislation on the subject.