California Implements Double Tax on Guns and Ammunition

Last updated March 2026 · By Nick Hall, CA resident who tracks state firearm legislation and the new excise tax impact

A new law doubling the tax on guns and ammunition in California took effect today, marking a significant move in the state’s aggressive gun control efforts. We all know by now that California is not a gun-friendly State.

Why it matters: This new state excise tax, the first of its kind in the country, is expected to generate $160 million annually. The funds will support gun violence prevention initiatives, including enhanced security in schools.

Details: The law imposes an 11% tax on sales of firearms and ammunition. That’s on top of the existing federal excise tax of 10% on wholesale prices for handguns and 11% for long guns and ammunition. According to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, the revenue will fund state programs aimed at preventing school shootings, bolstering firearm investigations, and removing guns from the wrong hands.

Catch up quick: Gov. Newsom signed the legislation last September following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights. He asserted this would enhance community safety, with some researchers suggesting it could reduce gun sales and demand. However, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) has condemned the law as unconstitutional, arguing that it places a substantial financial burden on law-abiding gun owners. The CRPA plans to challenge the tax in court once payments begin.

Background: California is known for having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, a stance Gov. Newsom has reinforced since taking office in 2019. He has signed dozens of gun-control measures, although some face legal challenges. For example, a recent law banning the carrying of firearms in most public places was blocked from taking effect in January due to a court case. Additionally, Newsom’s proposed constitutional amendment to restrict gun ownership has stalled.

California has some of the strictest gun control measures in the country. The assault weapon ban means AR-15s have to be heavily modified to get in to the shops at all. So inferior weapons come with a hefty price bump. You also need a DOJ-approved gun safe in California and the rules are getting tighter all the time. Of course you can only buy California-approved handguns and shotguns, too. So that’s more grief and a lot of the cheaper guns simply aren’t legal.

Check out the California gun laws page for more information, but rest assured that California is about as anti-gun as it gets these days.