State Ammunition Restrictions

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Federal law permits online ammunition purchases in most states, but several states impose additional requirements. You are responsible for knowing and complying with your state and local laws. SendRounds makes a good-faith effort to surface these restrictions, but this page is not legal advice.

States With Significant Restrictions

California

Requires a point-of-sale background check for all ammunition purchases. Online purchases must be shipped to a licensed dealer for in-person pickup and background check. Background check fee applies (~$1).

New York

Requires a point-of-sale background check for ammunition purchases. Online ammunition must be shipped to a licensed firearms dealer for transfer. New York City has additional restrictions beyond state law.

Illinois

Requires a valid FOID (Firearm Owner Identification) card to purchase ammunition. Online retailers must verify FOID before shipping. FOID must be current and not revoked.

New Jersey

Requires a valid Firearms Purchaser Identification Card or handgun purchase permit to buy handgun ammunition. Hollow-point ammunition purchases have additional restrictions.

Massachusetts

Requires a valid LTC (License to Carry) or FID (Firearms Identification) card to purchase ammunition. Online retailers must verify credentials before shipping.

Connecticut

Requires a valid permit, eligibility certificate, or ammunition certificate to purchase ammunition. Online purchases must comply with state verification requirements.

Hawaii

Requires a permit to purchase ammunition. All ammunition purchases must be registered with the county police department. Significant restrictions on online purchases.

District of Columbia

Ammunition purchases require a valid firearms registration certificate. Only ammunition matching the caliber of a registered firearm may be purchased. Online purchases are subject to additional transfer requirements.

Federal Age Requirements

Under federal law, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifle and shotgun ammunition, and at least 21 years old to purchase handgun ammunition. Some states impose higher age requirements.

How SendRounds Handles This

When you set a state filter on SendRounds, we exclude retailers that cannot ship to your state based on publicly available shipping policies. However, retailer policies change and may not be current. Always verify with the retailer before placing an order if you are in a restricted state.

This Is Not Legal Advice

This page provides a general overview based on publicly available information. Laws change frequently. Consult your state's official resources or a qualified attorney for current legal requirements. SendRounds is not a firearms retailer and does not sell, ship, or handle ammunition.

Contact

If you believe any information on this page is outdated or incorrect, please email [email protected].