August 30, 2012

Hot Report: Online Purchase of Ammunition

OLR Report 2012-R-0390 explains (1) whether state or federal law prohibits online ammunition sales or purchases and (2) what, if any, eligibility criteria companies that sell ammunition online post on their websites for buyers and what checks they have in place to ensure that buyers meet the criteria.

Neither state nor federal law prohibits online ammunition sales or purchases. Several companies currently sell ammunition online.

Some companies post eligibility criteria for, and restrictions on, online ammunition purchases; others do not. Typically, those that post this information require purchasers to meet federal criteria for purchasing ammunition, which are the same as for firearm purchases. They require buyers to submit proof of age and “affirm” or “confirm” that they meet the criteria. The websites do not specify any other steps, if any, the companies take to verify that buyers are eligible.
For more information, read the full report.