Static Electricity and Ammo

[klear1]

I'm relatively new to firearms and tried a search but couldn't find anything related to this outside of the reloading section so here goes (and I apologize if this is too basic a question to be asking):

A little background (can probably be skipped if you want to get straight to my question without the background as to why I'm asking it)-

I bought a shotgun and took it to an indoor range several times to learn to shoot it. After a while I found some posts about lead exposure from indoor ranges and the nasty things that can happen and how it can contaminate a bunch of stuff and basically stopped shooting for a while. I bought it as a home defense weapon and had it stored in a closet that doesn't get used very much inside a carrying case/bag locked and unloaded. I basically didn't want to touch it or disturb it for fear of getting lead everywhere (probably a bit silly and paranoid).

Anyways, long story short I don't think it's a very adequate home defense weapon stored in that condition and want to change that.

Now, the carrying case/bag had been all over the floor of the indoor range so I'm assuming it's covered in lead dust. So what I did was took the shotgun out, and put the bag inside of a garbage bag and tied it as air tight as I could and put it away.

Now the main question-

I decided to keep the shotgun loaded (with the chamber empty) and put it in a plastic garbage bag underneath a bed. The reason for the garbage bag is to not get any lead that may still be on the gun onto any carpeting/into the air for whatever reason (if vacuuming near the area or whatever). I know I'm taking my paranoia of lead a bit too extreme, but I'm generally very cautious with things like that.

So my question is, and I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question, but when I was unfolding/opening the plastic garbage bag I noticed a lot of static electricity as evidenced by the hair on my arms sticking up when reaching in to open the bag--can this static electricity (and I know nothing of electrical matters so I'm not sure if that static electricity stays there or is just temporary or what not) set off the shotgun shells in any way, shape, or form? I basically want to know if I'm sleeping on a potential timebomb or if I'm totally overreacting and there's a 0% chance of there even being static electricity in the bag, and if there was it wouldn't be able to ignite from a static shock anyway?

Thanks in advance for all of your help, I greatly appreciate it and again apologize if it's a dumb question!

 

[Titan6]

Umm no. There is no danger from static electricty igniting or discharging standard shotgun shells. It has never happened in recorded history. Also you might be a little overboard on the lead paranoia thing.

 

[Cannonball888]

No electrical worries. However, storing firearms in an airtight container should be done with dessicants as moisture can form through temperature changes and has no means of escape.

 

[xjchief]

I don't think you've got anything to be worried about regarding the static electricity. As for the lead dust, well, I think you're being a bit neurotic. Sure, lead dust isn't good but you're treating it like it's plutonium dust. A tiny amount of lead, like that that may be present around your shot gun, is not something to be alarmed about. You do have an excellent point about the indoor ranges though. I'd be willing to bet most have inadequate ventilation. I like outdoor shooting better anyway.

 

[FuzzyBunny]

If you give the gun a good cleaning then lead will not be an issue at all.
After cleaning 99% of the lead is gone. Any remaining lead that MIGHT be there will be locked up in the rust preventing coating of oil you have on the firearm.

Rust is a much bigger threat.

Fuzzy

 

[Mal H]

I agree with all here. The static electricity is a non-problem and you are worrying far too much about the lead.

The shells are a closed and neutral system. Static will not "enter" inside the shell and set off the primer or the powder. It's similar to situations where people have been trapped inside their cars while a downed powerline with 120,000 volts arcs on their roof. They are perfectly safe inside the shell of the car as long as they don't try to exit.

As for the lead, it's impossible for us to know how much actual lead is present on your gear without testing. But use the example of long time shooters who fire thousands of rounds almost each and every week of their lives. They don't go all Van Gogh on us from the lead poisoning; they live long normal lives.


(Actually, Van Gogh was affected by the toxic absinthe that he drank, but the effects are similar to lead poisoning.)

 

[Zen21Tao]

I agree with everyone else, don't worry about lead expose. I know a great many people that shoot and have shot thousands and thousands of rounds, and not one has come down with lead poisoning.

 

[klear1]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

Regarding "However, storing firearms in an airtight container should be done with dessicants as moisture can form through temperature changes and has no means of escape.", does the plastic bag need that? It's not sealed or tied closed or anything.

 

[CNYCacher]

If Plan A involves storing your HD weapon in a plastic bag under the bed, you need a Plan B.

Plan B

 

[hso]

You should pop up to the THR Library and read the piece there on lead exposure. It should reduce your fear and put your mind at ease. I promise you that you've made much more of this than you needed to and you're at no risk from any lead on your shotgun as long as you wipe it down with a disposable oily wipe and toss the wipe.

 

[akodo]

wait a second...

Are you licking your bullets? Sucking on the inside of your barrel?

Lead exposure, a big part of it is inhaling small fragments of lead, but they are only found while actively shooting the gun, not when the gun is just sitting there...well unless you like to chew in bullets and lick your gun's chamber.

You are also at risk of lead poisoning when in older homes that may have flakes of lead pain in the air. Also, don't eat old paintchips.

Now, the other risk of lead poisoning comes when you clean the gun, because then you are touching areas where lead bullets had been sliding around and such. Truth is, just don't touch your mouth or rub your eyes when cleaing your gun. If you really want to, wear rubber gloves while cleaning it. Of course, some people recommend wearing rubber gloves when pumping your own gas.

As with all things 'it is the dose that makes the poison deadly'

If you worked at a gunrange, or shot 10-20 hours per week, yes, there would be a risk. Truth is, however, gunranges can be properly ventalated and greatly reduce the levels. Second truth is, if you do shoot 10-20 hours per week, it is probably a good idea to have your lead levels spot checked.

 

[RyanM]

Smokeless powder cannot be set off by static electricity (though black powder can). And the "skin effect" of a metal cartridge case will prevent any static from arcing through the powder, anyway.

 

[cslinger]

1- You really don't need to be worrying that much about the lead.
2- If you are able to discharge a firearm duty to static electricity, then by a lottery ticket right away, in fact buy all of them because you are pretty likely to win. Also watch out for lightning, as you are likely to be struck.

 

[stevemis]

I think the risks of having a shotgun not at the ready are far more than your risks of lead exposure.

Lose the plastic bag and buy a shotgun case.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Static electricity will not ignite black powder, yet alone smokeless powder secured in a cartridge/shell.