Does anyone store ammo in at a storage facility?

[Thot]

I've enjoyed reading and searching this site for years but have been stumped on answering this question.

My storage site states that no "explosives" can be stored but does not specify ammunition or anything firearm related.

I only have some bulk ammo (no reloading components or black powder) that I wish to store somewhere other than at home and trust my storage site enough to stash some there.

Does anyone have experience w/ this or know whether or not ammo is classified as an "explosive." When shipping ammo (something I have no experience w/, I have enough good luck just buying locally), is ammo classified as an explosive?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Urbana John]

I don't think loaded ammo is "explosive"----not like TNT is.

I wouldn't label it as ammo and put it in Plain brown wrapper!!

Don't tell!!!

UJ

 

[Eric F]

Go by the letter of the rules ammunition is in no way an explosive.

 

[Thot]

Yeah, "don't ask don't tell" is the idea to begin with, I was just wondering if, considering some unimaginable circumstance they find out, if it was going to be a problem.

Again, the language of the agreement I signed only mentions "explosives" so in lawyer-think, I would expect to be OK, but ya' never know.

I am planning on keeping what I have in 30cal cans and wrapping those up and boxing them up in regular boxes for storage.

Thanks for the response, Urbana John.

 

[BlackBearME]

I'm in the same position. My storage unit contract says "no explosives." but a) I don't consider ammunition explosive, and b) he's not going in there anyway. The only time we're going to have a problem is if it all explodes, and I'm probably going to have a much larger problem than whether my storage unit landlord is going to kick me out.

 

[harbingerm]

I understand powder is an accelerant and not an explosive, but what about the primers? Some that can be whacked and be made to go "pop" seems like an explosive to me.

 

[1 old 0311]

C-4 explodes. Gunpowder doesn't. It burns.................Real fast.

 

[rcmodel]

Not the best storage conditions I can think off though.

I helped my buddy move some furnature into his last summer, and it must have been 140 degrees in there!
Like an oven!

rcmodel

 

[harbingerm]

RC, there are a lot of climate controlled storage places, too. Nobody wants to discover moldy furniture and/or rusted metal.

 

[drphil]

In the past I have rented storage units that specifically say no ammo. I say be discreet and do it anyway, they are just covering their butt in case something happens.

As for the climate, depending on the region, climate controlled units are very reasonably priced. I think it is a great way to not keep all of your eggs in one basket.

 

[Thot]

I knew I loved this forum for a reason, thanks for all of the replies.

The storage facility I have is climate controlled and an "all steel" structure. Compared to places like Public Storage, a very nice place.

At this point, I am not going to worry about storing my ammo there, I am just going to go through some extra effort in discreetly moving it in. The place is rigged for video very effectively (the on-site manager has told me a few stories of catching morons trying to steal his 4-wheeled carts or even just trying to store them in their units).

 

[harbingerm]

I would make sure that under NO circumstances they have access to your unit. I have seen some places that if you supply your own lock, you must give them a key. If they use their locks, they probably have a skeleton key or if it's a combo type lock, they have a default "backdoor" combo that will open them all.

 

[dirtdog]

NRA did a thing on this years ago.

Ammo in a fire is not all that dangerous as it is not contained in a BBL. So when it goes off it is about as dangerous as a can of deodorant or hair spray .

 

[Thot]

Yeah, I am not worried too much in the case of an actual fire, I have read a bit about ammo in a fire as well.

As for their access to my stuff, I provide my own lock, period. They only provide a lock if asked or if my account is late (they add a lock until I pay the bill, makes sense).

On that note, would anyone suggest the best padlock for this, I currently have a basic Masterlock.

 

[EOD Guy]

Go by the letter of the rules ammunition is in no way an explosive.

Legally, small arms ammunition is classed as a Division 1.4S Explosive. It may be a low risk explosive, but it is still classed as an explosive material.

If there was ever a fire that involved a storage unit containing small arms ammunition, the renter could be liable for damages to that unit and any other units involved. That's a potential liability I wouldn't want to undertake.

 

[W.E.G.]

You have to declare small arms ammunition as such whenever you ship.

Failure to do so is a violation of federal law.

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/hazardous/responsible/contract.html


49 CFR 172.316 Packagings containing material classed as ORM-D

(a) Each non-bulk packaging containing a material classed as ORM-D must be marked on at least one side or end with the ORM-D designation immediately following or below the proper shipping name of the material (Cartridges, Small Arms). The ORM designation must be placed within a rectangle that is approximately 6.3 mm (0.25 inches) larger on each side that the designation.

(b) The marking ORM-D is the certification by the person offering the packaging for transportation that the material is properly described, classed, packaged, marked and labeled (when appropriate) and in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of this subchapter.


Prior THR thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-46369.html

 

[W.E.G.]

The regulations for storage of ammunition are set forth in the FIRE CODE for the jurisdiction where it is stored.

You'll have a real hard time finding a fire code on the internet, as most state and municipal governments adopt one of the "model" codes. (e.g. section 103.1 at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/2003sfpc.pdf )

The publishers of the model codes strenuously enforce their copyrights for those codes. Usually you have to buy your own copy of whatever model code they adopted, or if your lucky (or unlucky) your jurisdiction monkeyed with the model code, and published their own regulation as to limited issues, and which you might find on the web site for their own local ordinances. (e.g. section 3306.4 et. seq. also at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/2003sfpc.pdf )