Reloading Laws

[KevinR]

Does anyone know what the laws are concerning reloading? Is there a limit how much one can reload for ones personal use. Does the law say anything about selling reloaded ammo to a friend. What type of infraction are we talking about for violation? Felony? what class?

 

[mongoose33]

In some places there may be limits on the number of primers and the amount of powder one may store.

You cannot sell ammo without a license (well, legally anyway).

Other than those things, I'm not aware of any laws limiting what you can do w/r/t reloading.

 

[armoredman]

The law of finances, how much can I afford to load?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

The only real laws having to do with handloading that I'm aware of is that you can't sell it as your means of income. Other than that, load up and stock up. And shoot often.

 

[MMCSRET]

Local fire safety ordinances will govern how and how much powder can be stored in any given manner; if you want to discuss that aspect of your life with uniformed authorities!!!
Property insurance is another factor, if you deem it necessary to consider asking about it.

 

[jcwit]

And if "Heaven Forbid" the unthinkable should happen and you would have a major fire and to much unreported primers/powder, ones insurance policy would be void, as in you'd be hung out to dry.

 

[zoom6zoom]

You cannot sell ammo without a license

Sure you can, even at retail. But you can't manufacture ammunition (with intent to sell) without a license.

 

[rtpzwms]

Where I am there is a 25lbs limit on powder unless it is in a approved container. Then you can keep 50lbs. The powder needs to be kept in the original container from the mfg. But you need to check with local sources, Fire, Police, etc.

 

[GP100man]

I don`t think there`s any laws on amount, just on how it`s stored .

1" thick wood walls come to mind , no steel cabinets!!

 

[CHEVELLE427]

we had a fire once and all my ammo was on a roll around cart i picked up. we were able to get it out of the garage before the fire dept got there, when they got set up one ask .

is that what i think it is in those ammo cans----------yes----------are there anymore any were--------no------- but there are a few loaded guns in that room in the frt left.

never another word about anything.

 

[jcwit]

Well if one gets by with lying about it what else does one lie about.

 

[rtpzwms]

This would be a good reference to start. It may not include everything but it will give you some information. USE the SEARCH way too much to read all of it.
http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearms/state-laws/29th-edition/index.html

Here is an example of one for Riverside County CA:

9.32.110. Explosives generally - Storage for sale in the city. There shall not be kept
within the city more than fifty (50) pounds of powder, or other explosive substance, by any
one person, and every person keeping such articles shall keep all they have in one metal case,
with metal cover and handles, plainly marked "POWDER," which shall be kept near the front
door, and shall display conspicuously upon the front of the building a sign plainly marked "GUNPOWDER
KEPT HERE."


Interpretation of a State or local law or ordinance: Contact your State police, local law enforcement authority, or your State Attorney General's office

Powder storage should be listed under: Uniform Fire Code and the city's hazardous material storage [management] ordinance (Title III, Chapter 12). or something like it...

 

[Deavis]

Go find out for yourself which storage laws you are governed by, don't take the owrd of people not in your area. Your state will probably have an explosive code, check it to ensure nothing is classed as an explosive and subject there. Then your county or city will probably, but not always, have a fire code. It will probably be a straight copy of the IFC or NFPA rules. Easy to find that information on the web or call your local fire department. NFPA section 495 is fairly stardard language and available for free online.

 

[jcwit]

And check with your insurance agent. You might be OK.

 

[LightningMan]

The only thing I've heard/read is about primers, in that you can't store more than 10,000 in any given location. Also this may vary depending on what state you live in. I don't know this for a fact, but I do remember reading it somewhere. LM

 

[oneounceload]

Does the law say anything about selling reloaded ammo to a friend. What type of infraction are we talking about for violation? Felony? what class?

If you reloaded it, without a license, it is a felony, prison time, loss of gun rights forever, etc......

Your local fire marshal might have certain requirements, as might your insurance company

 

[LiveLife]

Does anyone know what the laws are concerning reloading? Is there a limit how much one can reload for ones personal use.

I do not believe if any law exists for limiting how many rounds one can reload for personal use.

For storage, according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 495, Explosive Materials Code:

11-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb. shall be permitted to be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb., but not exceeding 50 lb., shall be permitted to be stored in residences where kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of at least 1 in. (25.4 mm) nominal thickness.

http://www.saami.org/specifications.../download/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf

11-5.4 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be stored in residences.

http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/SAAMI_ITEM_201-Primers.pdf


If you live in California, Health & Safety code 12102, it's 20 lbs of smokeless powder or 1 lb of black powder. You also need to adhere to state Fire Marshall's requirements. Your state will probably have different laws/codes, so check your state government websites. Remember, this is for reloading components, not loaded/reloaded ammunition.

12102. This chapter does not apply to any possession or use of 20 pounds or less of smokeless powder, or one pound or less of black sporting powder, provided that:
(a) Smokeless powder is intended only for hand loading of small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(b) Black sporting powder is intended for loading of small arms or small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(c) All such powder is for private use and not for resale, and, in the case of black sporting powder, there shall be no gift, delivery, or other disposition to another person.
(d) The storage, use and handling of such smokeless and black powder conforms to rules, regulations, or ordinances of authorities having jurisdiction for fire prevention and suppression in the area of such storage, use, and handling of such explosives.

Does the law say anything about selling reloaded ammo to a friend. What type of infraction are we talking about for violation? Felony? what class?

I believe the sale of "already" loaded ammunition to a friend is not illegal, it is manufacturing ammunition with intent to sell without the proper permit which is illegal. This is what the California DOJ/Attorney General's website states about the sale of ammunition:

CHAPTER 2.6. AMMUNITION
12316. (a)(1) Any person, corporation, or dealer who does either of the following shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a term not to exceed six months, or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both the imprisonment and fine:

(A) Sells any ammunition or reloaded ammunition to a person under 18 years of age.
(B) Sells any ammunition or reloaded ammunition designed and intended for use in a handgun to a person under 21 years of age ...
(b)(1) No person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall own, possess, or have under his or her custody or control, any ammunition or reloaded ammunition ...
(c) Unless it is with the written permission of the school district superintendent, his or her designee, or equivalent school authority, no person shall carry ammunition or reloaded ammunition onto school grounds ...

For sale of armor piercing ammunition:

12320. Any person, firm, or corporation who, within this state knowingly possesses any handgun ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor is guilty of a public offense and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison or in the county jail for a term not to exceed one year, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

 

[Bovice]

Nobody is keeping track of how much you're storing. If you're really worried and are up to your ears in tin-foil, working on the finishing touches of your hat, buy your components with cash. You can't trace it.

For all they know, you used up ALL the powder or primers in one day.

 

[evan price]

Manufacturing ammo to sell is a federal felony. ATF isn't known for their humor.