California Ammo Background Checks Tossed By Federal Judge

2024 is starting out good for California gun owners.

A federal judge has ruled that Californians don't need to pay for and pass a background check every time they buy ammunition.

According to KRCR News:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California residents don't have to pay for and pass a background check every time they buy bullets, a federal judge has ruled.

The Tuesday ruling by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez took effect immediately. California Attorney General Rob Bonta asked Benitez on Wednesday to delay the ruling to give him time to appeal the decision. It's unclear if Benitez will grant that request.

Many states, including California, make people pass a background check before they can buy a gun. California goes a step further by making people pass a background check, which cost either $1 or $19 depending on eligibility, every time they buy bullets. A few other states also require background checks for buying ammunition, but most let people buy a license that is good for a few years.

Benitez said California's law violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because if people can't buy bullets for their guns, they can't use their guns for self-defense. He criticized the state's automated background check system, which he said rejected about 11% of applicants, or 58,087 requests, in the first half of 2023.

To read more, go here. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park Officially Reopens

Above, The Beast at Manzanita Lake Campground in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Lassen Volcanic National Park officially reopened Friday.

According to KRCR News:

OLD STATION, Calif. — The Lassen Volcanic National Park officially reopened Friday after being temporarily closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 27. 

The park says the Butte Lake area, the 30-mile Park Highway, Warner Valley area, and most of the trails are open.

Juniper Lake Road does remain closed at the park boundary due to snow.

And the Manzanita Lake and Southwest Walk-In campgrounds will open next week on Monday, June 1. 

Visitors should plan ahead of time when they visit. There is no gas, food, or supplies in the park at this time. There is also no drinking water in the Butte Lake and Warner Valley areas until June 5 and 6.

To read more, go here. 

Prescribed Burn Planned For Manzanita Lake Area

Above, the entrance to Manzanita Lake Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A prescribed burn will take place in mid-October in the Manzanita Lake area of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Weather permitting.

According to KRCR News:

The Lassen Volcanic National Park Fire Management Staff announced on Tuesday that they are planning a 100-acre prescribed burn project in the area of Manzanita Lake, estimated to be in early to mid-October depending on weather conditions.

The fire is expected to be ignited over a two to three day period and residual burning is expected to take around two weeks after final ignition operations. The fire will be monitored regularly until it has burned out, according to the National Park Service.

To read more, go here.