Legal Gun Powder Storage

why not just use the wooded crates from the 7.62x39ammo? I do and i have LOTS of empty ones

My powder is all kept locked in my gun room so its allways stored locked
Coincidentally, we have a sale on powder storage boxes. $199, free shipping and we'll throw in 1120 rds of 7.62x39 ammo.
 
You also need to inform your local fire department of the presence of gun powder in your premises and precise location of the powder, i.e. in the southwest corner of the basement. If you have not done this and have a fire in your residence, you could be faced with charges.
The fire dept takes this seriously. A fella in the GTA a number of years ago had this happen and he was charged.
You also need to inform them in general terms as to the amount. I believe that all you have to state is that there is less than "X" amount. That is what I did. It evoked a call from the fire dept since the "X" amount permitted is rather high and they were concerned about the amount. I verbally told them about how much was in the form of loose powder and what was in loaded shotshells which is what I was reloading. They were satisfied. Keep a copy of your letter to the fire dept and make sure you have someone at the FD sign it as having received same just to be safe.


I think it might be prudent to also inform the RCMP, and the nearest FBI and EPA office also just to be safe.
 
I do believe the storage regs state:

If you keep your gun powder at home then you must keep it in a "suitable container", away from other inflammable substances such as paint, thinner, lighter fluids, other ammunition and it can be removed if there is a fire. The container shall not be of steel for iron, it must be kept locked except when being accessed, only gun powder and primers are to be kept in it. Suitable materials are wood and copper. No iron or steel fittings. It must be scrupulously clean. The word "Explosives" in large contrasting letters must be on the outside. A box of 3/4" plywood is recommended. This is what I call the "locked box".

When you are reloading you should be in an area dedicated to reloading, no fumes, matches, smoking, no lights that can cause an explosion. Only 2 kg can be out of the locked box and in the room with you. At the end of the session all the explosives must be returned to the locked box. And you cannot resell or give away these cartridges. If you intend to, you need a license and more restrictions must be met. If you do not follow this you will be liable to be charged with unsafe storage under the Criminal Code.

Also:
Remember to empty the powder hopper on your reloader after every session and put the powder in a 3/4 inch plywood locked box made with brass screws. No iron nails. Put the word "Explosives" on it and keep it away from paint and paint thinner.

If you were to be inspected by the CFO, you could get nailed for improper storage of ammo if your powder is just laying around.

I am going to build a storage box this afternoon. I'm off to purchase some brass hardware now!


That's a long list of requirements, I am not sure if I comply.

Were do you get a powder box with brass screws?
 
I got all the hardware from home depot.
Make sure it is SOLID BRASS and not just "plated". Go to the tool section and pick up a magnet. If the hardware is attracted to the magnet, it is NOT brass. Brass is a non-magnetic metal.

"Stanley" makes a lot of brassware. The most difficult part was finding a "hasp". They are mostly brass plated ZINC which is a ferrous metal.
I settled for a package of 28mm screw eyes, which I will put one on the lid and one on the front of the box and pass a small padlock thru them to "lock" the box. Remember, you need not have the same level of security as a lock box for your handguns. You just want to "comply" with the law and keep unauthorised fingers away from the powder.

I have left over plywood. The brass hardware, padlock and paint came to $38.32
The box will be 24"W x 14"D x 12"H which should hold all my primers and powder.

Griff
 
Here's a quick question for all you who are so happy to have some new rules to follow;

Why do you think "copper" (the regs don't say brass, now do they) is specified?;)
 
Copper is non-ferrous, as is aluminum, tin, zinc, and brass. They specify using non-ferrous metals. I may have mislead people with my enthusiasm in my first post. I initially set out to build a "awesome" new gun powder cabinet for my reloading room. This was something I did want, to organize my set up, I wanted it to be kind of classy. I thought it could be done and be up to standard. I see now that it will not be a nice compliment to my reloading bench. I am really not excited to be following these ridiculous rules. I would how ever like to know why they want non-ferrous metals to be used?
 
My guess, and that's all it is, is that some bozo that made up these rules thought having non-ferrous metals would eliminate the chance of a spark being created by some ferrous metal being inadvertantly struck.
 
My guess, and that's all it is, is that some bozo that made up these rules thought having non-ferrous metals would eliminate the chance of a spark being created by some ferrous metal being inadvertantly struck.

That would be it. 3 generations of my family worked for CIL explosives in Nobel Ontario before they closed the plant. My father worked as a millwright in the repair dept. They had to use BRASS wrenches. Dad told me, even at that time (the 70's and early 80's) a brass wrench would cost the company about $100 each. You use the thing once or twice and throw it away because it's bent to heck. They used to have to punch the eyeletts out of their brand new boots. Every nut and bolt on every machine had to be bon-bonded. That's where they drill a hole in the fastener and insert a wire through it to mechanically lock it to it's mating fastener. The wire is twisted to ensure the wire couldn't come out, then the end of the wire had to be run to a central ground point on the machine. They used wooden shovels that cost a fortune to make. All plastics brought into the plant had to be made with anti-static additive. There were a million things they had to comply with.
 
39. When transporting propellants, the cargo area must be enclosed and locked, free from sources of
fire or of loose objects that could strike the explosives. The vehicle must be in sound mechanical
condition, particular attention being paid to the exhaust system, electrical wiring, fuel tank, fuel lines,
brakes, steering and tires
. It must not be overloaded. Smoking on or near the vehicle is not allowed.

Well, that rules out half of the cars in Edmonton :D
The cargo area must be enclosed. No open pickup truck beds. Well, that eliminated another 45% of the vehicles on the road in Edmonton :D
 
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Ok. I know the lawyer wrote that the box should be made with either glue or brass screws (nonferous metal) but, I don't see that in the actual regulation. I did a search on the document, and no where does it say that. If it's not in the reg, then it's an idea from someone who doesn't make the law....right?

The one thing that caught my attention...which makes sense....is that you actually need 2 boxes marked explosives....one for powder....one for primers.
 
"...also need to inform your local fire department of the presence of gun powder in your premises..." Nonsense. Where do you guys get this kind of rubbish?
You don't need a special cabinet with anything written on the outside for "normal" amounts of smokeless OR BP. Any rules or regulations are for retail businesses. Not reloaders.
 
"...also need to inform your local fire department of the presence of gun powder in your premises..." Nonsense. Where do you guys get this kind of rubbish?
You don't need a special cabinet with anything written on the outside for "normal" amounts of smokeless OR BP. Any rules or regulations are for retail businesses. Not reloaders.

Hey! Sure you do!;) It's uber dangerous to not have a special plywood box to store your powder. Only retail stores are allowed glass doors/metal shelves.

Here's some other cool rules for you guys to follow:

b) In addition to that contained in the cartridges already made, there shall be no more than
2

kg of propellant at the place



Here you cannot have an 8lb can of powder on the reloading bench.


c) No other work shall be undertaken at the place while filling is in progress.

Or, you can stop *filling* and undertake some other work....:p


Here's an important on for all you guys building boxes.....

d) No fire, heater or artificial light (except a light that is of such construction, position and
character that it will not cause any danger of fire or explosion) shall be allowed where the
filling takes place (and this includes "NO SMOKING").

I hope you guys all run out and buy light fixture with wire guards on them to prevent mechanical damage to the fixture. Hey, I'm NOT making this up! It's in the regs and you don't want to get charged, do ya???!

e) When operations have ceased, the place shall be cleaned to ensure that all spills, loose
percussion caps, etc., are cleaned up and destroyed. Remaining propellant and caps
should be returned to their respective packages and then to the magazines.

One flake of powder, one misplaced primer, and you have a new bed buddy at club FED!

There's lots of other good one's in there. Make sure you follow each to the letter.....;)

The one thing that caught my attention...which makes sense....is that you actually need 2 boxes marked explosives....one for powder....one for primers.

Unless you put those two components in a special container made of brass with a special non-ferrous lid (usually lead or guilding material). It is then safe to store these components together. Up to a reasonable quantity.

 
OK I don't see anything about brass locks, screws etc. it just ways; :confused:

STORAGE AND POSSESSION OF PROPELLANT POWDERS

POSSESSION AND PERSONAL USE
17. Propellants not exceeding 10 kg in their approved canisters, caddies and kegs may be stored on residential property, providing they are in a locked substantial magazine that is kept clean and used

exclusively for propellants. No federal licence or possession permit is required for this type of storage. The outside of the magazine must be marked with the word “EXPLOSIVE.” No flammable or highly combustible material may be stored in or near the magazine.

--------------------------------------------
PERCUSSION CAPS (PRIMERS):

STORAGE AND POSSESSION
POSSESSION FOR OWN USE

23 A reasonable number of percussion caps (primers) for one's own use, and not for sale, may be kept
on residential or other property, out of reach of children and away from heat and substances of a
flammable nature. Such storage must be separated from propellant storage in a locked container or
receptacle marked “EXPLOSIVES.”
No federal licence or permit to possess is required for such
storage.

 
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there is no legal requirement to report to the fire department unless you have a local municipal bylaw that says this, which personally i have never heard of. Standard bunker gear will protect a firefighter.
 
OK I don't see anything about brass locks, screws etc. it just ways; :confused:
It is in the Explosives Act.

PART XII

137. In regard to any receptacle, the following provisions shall be observed:

(a) it shall be provided with a closely fitting lid secured by a lock, and hinges and fastenings, preferably of copper or brass, and otherwise closed and secured so as to prevent unauthorized persons having access thereto, and shall be kept locked except when required to be open for receipt or removal of explosives, or other necessary purpose;

(b) it shall be exclusively used for the keeping of explosives;

(c) it shall be made of wood, copper or other suitable material;

(d) the interior of the receptacle and all fittings therein shall be so constructed, covered or lined as to prevent the exposure of any iron or steel, or of any hard or gritty surface, or the entry, detaching, or accumulating of grit, iron, steel or similar substance;

(e) the interior of the receptacle shall be kept scrupulously clean; and

(f) the receptacle shall have the word “EXPLOSIVES” conspicuously displayed thereon on a contrasting background.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cr/C.R.C.-c.599/bo-ga:l_XII//en#anchorbo-ga:l_XII
 
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