07/25/2025
This week, the shooting sports community secured a powerful and lasting victory.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down California’s ammunition background check law in Rhode v. Bonta, ruling it unconstitutional. The decision eliminates a burdensome and unnecessary barrier that stood in the way of athletes, coaches, and sportsmen trying to train, compete, and responsibly participate in the sport we all love.
What makes this ruling especially meaningful for our community is that the lead plaintiff in the case was Kim Rhode—six-time Olympic medalist, USA Shooting board member, and one of the most accomplished shooters in American history.
Kim didn’t take on this fight for headlines. She did it for every young athlete struggling to access ammunition. She did it for coaches trying to run junior programs without roadblocks. She did it to protect the integrity of a sport that has shaped her life—and shaped our nation’s Olympic legacy.
This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast support and legal muscle of the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA helped fund and support the litigation effort from day one and continues to be a proud supporter of USA Shooting and the athletes who represent our nation on the world stage.
Here’s why this ruling matters to all of us:
It protects practical access. Ammunition is essential for every discipline in our sport. This decision keeps that access within reach for athletes at every level.
It strengthens the pipeline. Restrictions like California’s hit new and youth shooters the hardest. Removing those obstacles means more talent can rise, and more programs can thrive.
It defends the future of competition. When world-class athletes like Kim take a stand, they remind the public that the shooting sports are about excellence, discipline, and opportunity—not politics.
Here’s how you can help carry this momentum forward:
Join us in thanking Kim, CRPA, and the NRA for their leadership and belief in what this sport makes possible.
Spread the word. Share this ruling and what it means with your club, your teammates, and your community.
Stay engaged. Whether at the local, state, or national level, policies that impact access to the shooting sports are being shaped every day. Our collective voice matters.
This was a big win—but it’s just one step in the work we must continue to do to ensure the shooting sports stay accessible, respected, and strong for generations to come.
I’m proud to lead this organization. I’m proud to serve alongside people like Kim Rhode. And I’m proud to be building a future where every athlete—regardless of where they live—can dream big and shoot for the podium.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep growing. And let’s keep fighting for the sport.
Proud to be in this fight with all of you,
Kelly Reisdorf
CEO, USA Shooting
