Powder possession limits

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  • Bountied

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 6, 2012
    6,884
    Pasadena
    Besides, just because i'm purchasing an 8 pound jug from you doesn't mean i'm not sharing it with a friend... or splitting it into 2 allotments and storing half in my summerhouse in PA.... of having a marathon reloading session this afternoon :)

    and, where the H&*( did you find an 8 pound jug of powder in this environment? :party29:

    Again all I was saying is that you may get in trouble for having more than 5lbs of smokeless "in your dwelling" the law doesn't say anything about possession.

    Whatever you want to do is fine with me. I suppose if you stored it in a box outside you could have as many lbs as you want.
     

    jcutonilli

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 28, 2013
    2,474
    I guess the next question for the fire marshal would be, if you really just want to store 5-20#, would THEY require a powder magazine.

    The 20 lb limit is based on national standards (both NFPA and the IFC). The local fire marshal may impose different standards, but probably not. You need to check with them to make sure.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    The 20 lb limit is based on national standards (both NFPA and the IFC). The local fire marshal may impose different standards, but probably not. You need to check with them to make sure.

    What kind of arsonist/anarchist needs more than 5 pounds of powder?
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,729
    Socialist State of Maryland
    What kind of arsonist/anarchist needs more than 5 pounds of powder?

    The fugal kind who can save money buying in bulk. Kind of the same home economics 101 where they teach you that you can stretch your dollars by buying a case of toilet paper vs buying by the roll.

    This is the argument that had Maryland allow a person to buy two guns at one time (without a collectors letter) to take advantage of the savings.

    I have never heard of lawyers using this argument whenever the left makes a big deal of us buying a case of ammunition. I think most Americans can relate to that line of thought when you apply it to everyday life.
     

    byf43

    SCSC Life/NRA Patron Life
    5 lbs husband
    5 lbs wife
    5 lbs kid #1
    5 lbs kid #2..........

    ^^^^^ This is my understanding.
    Five pounds of powder, per person, in the dwelling, and no limit on what's stored in single-serving brass containers, with lead or copper jacketed lids.



    My goal with the thread was to help people that don't know the laws. A member sent me a PM when I was trying to sell over 5lbs here on MDS. It was more of a PSA than anything since this is a public forum and "the man" could happen across it. Not saying how much I have but... I think the trick is to store it in little brass casings and then you can have as much as you want.

    Fact: Many years ago, a member of my sportsman's club had an FFL, and he was placing an order for powder, and getting a good deal.
    He offered to order powder for club members.

    When the shipment arrived, and before he could get the powder to the guys that ordered, someone from the Fire Marshal's Office knocked on his door.

    Fortunately, the Deputy Fire Marshal was a gun enthusiast and just gave him a warning.
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    The fugal kind who can save money buying in bulk. Kind of the same home economics 101 where they teach you that you can stretch your dollars by buying a case of toilet paper vs buying by the roll.

    This is the argument that had Maryland allow a person to buy two guns at one time (without a collectors letter) to take advantage of the savings.

    I have never heard of lawyers using this argument whenever the left makes a big deal of us buying a case of ammunition. I think most Americans can relate to that line of thought when you apply it to everyday life.

    Your sarcasm meter is broken. ;)
     

    lazarus

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 23, 2015
    13,678
    ^^^^^ This is my understanding.
    Five pounds of powder, per person, in the dwelling, and no limit on what's stored in single-serving brass containers, with lead or copper jacketed lids.





    Fact: Many years ago, a member of my sportsman's club had an FFL, and he was placing an order for powder, and getting a good deal.
    He offered to order powder for club members.

    When the shipment arrived, and before he could get the powder to the guys that ordered, someone from the Fire Marshal's Office knocked on his door.

    Fortunately, the Deputy Fire Marshal was a gun enthusiast and just gave him a warning.

    Maybe I am naive as hell, but I’d see it being more of an issue violating the single family dwelling bit. Have a bunch in an apartment or townhouse I could see them deciding to make real hay out of it. Or if it is a staggering amount. Or if there IS a fire or similar I could see it being an insurance issue or possibly they’d go after you if anyone was injured. Or you’ve got a warning/fine in the past or something.
     

    ras_oscar

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 23, 2014
    1,666
    5 lbs husband
    5 lbs wife
    5 lbs kid #1
    5 lbs kid #2..........

    No, that is incorrect. The requirement is in the Fire code. It has nothing to do with personal rights or freedom. It has to do with protecting a structure in the event of a fire. 5 pounds per single family residental structure. Having more people in your residence does not reduce the fire risk.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Funny, you cannot keep more than 5 pounds of powder. But you can keep a number of 5 gallon cans of gasoline.

    Or massive amounts of liquor.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    No, that is incorrect. The requirement is in the Fire code. It has nothing to do with personal rights or freedom. It has to do with protecting a structure in the event of a fire. 5 pounds per single family residental structure. Having more people in your residence does not reduce the fire risk.

    (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person need not obtain a license to possess or store up to 5 pounds of smokeless powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition, and up to 5 pounds of black powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition or for use in the loading of antique arms or replicas of antique arms, if the smokeless powder and black powder are stored in their original shipping containers and are possessed only for personal use in firearms.[/quote]

    Each occupant is a person.
     

    jcutonilli

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 28, 2013
    2,474
    No, that is incorrect. The requirement is in the Fire code. It has nothing to do with personal rights or freedom. It has to do with protecting a structure in the event of a fire. 5 pounds per single family residental structure. Having more people in your residence does not reduce the fire risk.

    It is correct, sort of.

    The 5 lb limit comes from MD law and is a per person limit before a permit is required. See https://www.mdshooters.com/showpost.php?p=6270513&postcount=3

    There are also fire safety requirements. There are not really limits per se, it is just that storage requirement become more and more onerous as the quantities in any one place increase and may become impossible to meet in many circumstances. In the home environment 20 lbs is the limit where no real restrictions are required. Above that cabinets and other requirements start to become required.
     

    jcutonilli

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 28, 2013
    2,474
    Funny, you cannot keep more than 5 pounds of powder. But you can keep a number of 5 gallon cans of gasoline.

    Or massive amounts of liquor.

    You can keep more than 5 lbs of powder. The question is really what the requirements are to do so. There are no real requirements below 5 lbs.
     

    GunBum

    Active Member
    Feb 21, 2018
    751
    SW Missouri
    It is correct, sort of.
    In the home environment 20 lbs is the limit where no real restrictions are required. Above that cabinets and other requirements start to become required.

    :sad20:

    A wood box with minimum 1” thick walls. That’s all that is required for a “powder magazine”. More than 20lbs and less than 50lbs just needs a thick walled wood box. That’s all. The reference was posted earlier in the thread.

    And of course a license from the king of MD...
     

    Bountied

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 6, 2012
    6,884
    Pasadena
    (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person need not obtain a license to possess or store up to 5 pounds of smokeless powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition, and up to 5 pounds of black powder for the loading or reloading of small arms ammunition or for use in the loading of antique arms or replicas of antique arms, if the smokeless powder and black powder are stored in their original shipping containers and are possessed only for personal use in firearms.[/quote]

    Each occupant is a person.

    It's per dwelling...
     

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