Democrats Revive Federal Push to End Online Ammo Sales — Minnesota Gun Owners Would Feel the Impact
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A group of Democrats in Congress has once again introduced legislation aimed at shutting down online ammunition sales nationwide—an effort that would dramatically expand gun control far beyond the handful of states that currently regulate ammo purchases. The proposal, titled the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, was reintroduced by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.). Filed as H.R. 7166, the bill would require federally licensed ammunition dealers to verify the identity of anyone purchasing ammunition online in person, effectively killing direct-to-consumer internet sales.
Under the bill, online buyers would be forced to appear at a physical location to present government-issued photo identification before receiving their ammunition—eliminating any practical advantage of online purchasing. In addition, the legislation would require ammunition dealers to report any sale of more than 1,000 rounds within a five-day period to the U.S. Department of Justice, creating a new federal reporting requirement for entirely lawful transactions.
“Public safety must come before convenience,” Watson Coleman claimed in a statement, framing lawful commerce as an “unregulated market” despite ammunition sales already being heavily governed by federal law. The bill is backed by gun-control groups such as Everytown for Gun Safety and has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. All 22 co-sponsors are Democrats, largely representing deep-blue states like California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Minnesota currently does not require background checks or in-person verification for ammunition purchases. Law-abiding residents are free to buy ammunition online and have it shipped directly to their homes—an especially important option for rural Minnesotans who may live hours from a well-stocked gun store.
If H.R. 7166 were to pass, Minnesota gun owners would immediately lose that freedom.
Online ammo purchases would become functionally impossible, forcing residents to:
Travel to brick-and-mortar locations just to verify identity
Pay higher prices due to reduced competition
Face potential federal scrutiny for bulk purchases commonly used for training, competition, or preparedness
For many Minnesotans—particularly hunters, competitive shooters, and those who train regularly—buying ammunition in quantities greater than 1,000 rounds is not unusual. Under this bill, such purchases would trigger mandatory reporting to the federal government, despite no allegation of wrongdoing. At present, only six states—California, New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey—require background checks or dealer transfers for direct-to-consumer ammunition sales. The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act would impose those same restrictions on every state, regardless of local crime rates, geography, or existing laws.
The bill mirrors California’s ammunition scheme, which has been plagued by system failures, wrongful denials, and ongoing constitutional challenges—including cases now backed by the U.S. Department of Justice itself. While the bill currently faces long odds, its reintroduction is not symbolic.
Republicans hold a razor-thin 218–213 majority in the House, and every seat is up for reelection in November. A shift in control in 2027 could place bills like H.R. 7166 squarely on a fast track to passage. A right that depends on government permission to obtain ammunition is no right at all.
At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe attempts to restrict ammo access are simply backdoor gun bans—designed to price out, inconvenience, and intimidate law-abiding Americans into giving up their rights without ever confiscating a single firearm.
Minnesota gun owners should pay close attention. What starts as “common-sense regulation” in Washington has a habit of becoming real-world restrictions back home. The solution remains the same: stay informed, stay engaged, and keep exercising your rights—because the moment Americans stop using them is the moment politicians decide they don’t need them.
Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube Channel @2ifbyseatactical or on Rumble @2ifbyseatactical and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance.
Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.
