Legal Gun Powder Storage

Harold Manback

Harold Manback

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I'm going to build a awesome new gun powder cabinet. From what I understand it should be made of 3/4" plywood, have a lock, no iron, or steel fittings, and have the word explosives written on it. I want this cabinet to be completely compliant with the law. Am I missing anything? What do you guys have for a cabinet, and how do you lock it?
 
if it's for black powder you can't have more than 10 pounds I believe. If it is smokeless powder.. which is not an explosive, there are no restrictions.
 
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.
 
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.
Click to expand...
Since when and if so, how about a link to the law?
 
meadowmuffin3 said:
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.
Click to expand...

And don't forget to tell them about propane, paint thinner, gasoline, aerosol cans, rubbing alcohol, any 100PROOF booze you might have laying around, family fireworks, paint, flammable solvents, any batteries that might explode in a fire, canned goods, lighter fluid, heating oil tank if it happens to be in the basement, anything that produces toxic or carcenogenic fumes when burned..........

You don't want to be charged, do ya?
 
I keep mine on my bench, or on the shelf in my garage out in the open. I'd rather not have it in a confined space like a metal box. If it's going to burn, let it burn. Don't contain it so that if some poor firefighter goes in, it's sitting there like a (x) pound bomb waiting for him.
In all fairness to the FD guys, if your house catches fire, make sure you're out front when they arrive. Identify yourself as the home owner, and give them a rundown of what's inside. Even loaded rounds will not cause any serious damage when they go off in the open, but let them know they're in there anyway...they like that :) As far as calling them in advance, I think that might not really be necessary. How do I tell them how much powder I have when that could be anything from 0 to 25 pounds???
 
blacksmithden said:
I keep mine on my bench, or on the shelf in my garage out in the open. I'd rather not have it in a confined space like a metal box.
Click to expand...

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!
 
I'm having trouble finding information about storage of gun powder on the NRCAN site. CSSA has some info under legal. I am a little worried about informing the fire department about my gun powder, I don't want them petitioning for its removal.
 
If you go to the CSSA website ( link on CGN ) then go to the legal section, there is info on the storage of powder, as per the explosives act.

As far as I know, it is up to date & accurate.
 
I keep the bulk of my powder outside of the house and in an underground locked container. The reason is to protect the powder from heat in case of a house fire. Inside storage of powder should not be in massively strong containers because they concentrate the explosion in case of a fire. I don't know about today but in the 1800's the buildings used for manufacturing powder had a strong framework but flimsy sides in case of explosion.

cheers mooncoon
 
Griffoneur said:
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!
Click to expand...


Wow. I just went the the CSSA site and confirmed everything you said. It looks like I'll be going out today to buy some plywood and brass fittings.
Thanks for the info.
 
Yeah, I'm going to build a proper magazine, one mistake I would have made is I had planned on attaching it to the wall, otherwise why lock it? The manufactures such as Hodgdon recommend having weak sides that can easily come open, our government wants 3/4" plywood locked up tight, I find this strange. Finding a brass lock, and hasp will probably be the hardest part. If any of us get inspected by a CFO, they will always be able to say it's not "scrupulously clean" enough, and charge us anyway. I might post a picture of my magazine when I'm done to see what you guys think. There must be a lot of explosions caused by reloaders :D they must keep them secret I guess :D
 
Since I went about storing my powder properly and legally, I built a small box out of pine, brass screws, hinges and locking mechanism. EXPLOSIVES decal on it as well as stencilled in black spray paint. Zero ferrous materials.
 
As a note to this, I was told by the CSSA that powder is covered by the explosives act & NOT by the firearms act.
It is not ammo . It is powder.

I was even told that in the event of an inspection by the firearms people that they do not have the authority to enforce the explosives act. Different departments.

Having said that, I don't plan on testing that . Better safe than sorry.

BTW. Anyone know where I can buy an " Explosives " sticker ??
 
colinjw said:
If you go to the CSSA website ( link on CGN ) then go to the legal section, there is info on the storage of powder, as per the explosives act.

As far as I know, it is up to date & accurate.
Click to expand...
It is not and I have sent a suggestion to them that the legal info be reviewed and updated.

CSSA:
The storage of gun powder is regulated by the explosives act, r.S.C. 1990. you may keep a maximum of 12 kg.

NRCAN:
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.
 
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
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom