Federal Ammunition Sales Requirements
Federal law establishes a baseline for ammunition sales that applies nationwide. Licensed dealers may sell ammunition without a separate ammunition-specific license — your FFL authorizes ammunition sales alongside firearms. However, federal age restrictions apply: you must be 21 to purchase handgun ammunition and 18 to purchase rifle or shotgun ammunition from a licensed dealer.
The age restriction applies to ammunition "designed for use in" a handgun versus a long gun. This creates ambiguity for calibers that are used in both — such as .22 LR, which is used in both handguns and rifles. The ATF's guidance is that if the buyer is under 21 and states the ammunition is for a rifle, you may sell .22 LR. If the buyer states it's for a handgun — or you have reason to believe it is — the 21-year minimum applies.
Federal law prohibits selling ammunition to any person you know or have reasonable cause to believe is prohibited from possessing firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). This includes felons, domestic violence misdemeanants, persons under indictment, and all other prohibited categories.
State-by-State Ammunition Restrictions
This is where ammunition sales get complicated. Multiple states impose requirements beyond the federal baseline, and the landscape continues to evolve.
California has the most restrictive ammunition regulations in the country. Since July 2019, all ammunition sales must go through a licensed vendor, buyers must pass a point-of-sale background check (conducted through the California DOJ), and dealers must maintain records of all ammunition sales. Online ammunition purchases must be shipped to a licensed dealer for pickup with a background check. Out-of-state residents cannot purchase ammunition in California.
Illinois requires a valid FOID (Firearm Owner's Identification) card for all ammunition purchases. Verify the FOID before completing any ammo sale. Connecticut requires an ammunition certificate or other qualifying credential. Massachusetts requires an FID card or LTC for ammunition purchases. New Jersey requires a firearms purchaser identification card or pistol purchase permit.
New York requires ammunition sales to be conducted face-to-face through a dealer and requires a NICS check for ammunition purchases in some jurisdictions. Several other states have enacted or are considering ammunition-specific regulations.
Age Verification
Age verification for ammunition sales requires checking government-issued photo identification. The federal age minimums — 21 for handgun ammunition, 18 for rifle/shotgun ammunition — apply to all sales from licensed dealers.
Train your staff to verify age on every ammunition sale, just as they would for firearms. A common compliance mistake is treating ammunition sales as less regulated than firearms sales — the age restrictions carry the same legal weight, and selling handgun ammunition to an under-21 buyer is a federal violation.
Record Keeping for Ammunition Sales
Federal law does not currently require licensed dealers to maintain records of routine ammunition sales (with the exception of armor-piercing ammunition, which requires specific documentation). However, several states require ammunition sales records — California's requirements are the most comprehensive, mandating detailed transaction records for every ammunition sale.
Even where not legally required, maintaining basic ammunition sales records is a good business practice. Track sales by caliber, quantity, and buyer to identify trends, manage inventory, and provide data if law enforcement inquiries arise.
Prohibited Ammunition Types
Federal law prohibits the manufacture, import, and sale of armor-piercing handgun ammunition (18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(7)). The definition is specific: a projectile or projectile core that is constructed entirely from tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium, or a full-jacketed projectile larger than .22 caliber designed and intended for use in a handgun with a jacket weight exceeding 25% of the total projectile weight.
Several states also restrict specific ammunition types — including hollow-point ammunition in New Jersey (with limited exceptions for home defense), tracer rounds in various jurisdictions, and incendiary ammunition in some states. Know your state's prohibited ammunition list.
Online Ammunition Sales
Federal law does not prohibit online ammunition sales. However, state laws create a patchwork of restrictions. California requires all online ammunition orders to ship to a licensed vendor for pickup with a background check. Other states may restrict or prohibit direct-to-consumer ammunition shipments.
If you sell ammunition online, know the shipping regulations for every destination state. Shipping ammunition to a state where it's restricted creates liability for your business. Some carriers also have specific requirements for ammunition shipments (ORM-D or Limited Quantity markings, quantity limits, and packaging standards).
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