Primers and powder
- Thread starter gixer1
- Start date
8x57
Distinguished Member
As a consequence of the murder of police constable Ian Broadhurst in Leeds 2003 a crime reduction bill introduced the requirement to show your FAC in order to purchase primers.
With regard to nitro reloading powders under legislation covering explosive materials and propellants in order to be able to purchase such powders you must be able to demonstrate that you have a legitimate reason for acquiring them such as possession of a FAC.
It's illegal for RFDs to sell you primers without seeing your FAC and they should be making note of FAC details when selling you powder though some are rather lax in this respect. I understand that many firearms departments are now getting tougher regarding policing this.
P.S. I have often bought powder and even primers from RFDs without being asked sight of my FAC or SGC.
With regard to nitro reloading powders under legislation covering explosive materials and propellants in order to be able to purchase such powders you must be able to demonstrate that you have a legitimate reason for acquiring them such as possession of a FAC.
It's illegal for RFDs to sell you primers without seeing your FAC and they should be making note of FAC details when selling you powder though some are rather lax in this respect. I understand that many firearms departments are now getting tougher regarding policing this.
P.S. I have often bought powder and even primers from RFDs without being asked sight of my FAC or SGC.
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So I gather legally speaking no, all they need is proof of your name and address (at least thats what I was told in Fultons at Bisley when I asked last time I bought powder and primers from them).
In reality I've never been to an RFD that hasnt asked to see my ticket when purchasing powder or primers. Given you need to supply name and address most seem to ask for your ticket in any case and make a note of the licence number plus what you bought.
In reality I've never been to an RFD that hasnt asked to see my ticket when purchasing powder or primers. Given you need to supply name and address most seem to ask for your ticket in any case and make a note of the licence number plus what you bought.
Rewulf
Well-Known Member
Im sure I heard that the HO guidance mentions something about only being able to buy the primers suitable for the calibres youre licenced for ?
8x57
Distinguished Member
Stu if that is what Fultons told you they are simply WRONG and leaving themselves wide open for a meeting without coffee with their firearms department.
8x57
Distinguished Member
Correct.
Just curious - do you now need an FAC to buy primers and powder? Can’t remember ever being asked for my cert for these over the years?
I don’t think I’ve bought either without showing my FAC! They might do things differently up there though
They obviously know you’re all dodgy...I don’t think I’ve bought either without showing my FAC! They might do things differently up there though
8x57
Distinguished Member
Very simply put yes in a similar way, SGC required.
It shouldn't be forgotten that many shotgun powders can/could also be used for reloading pistol cartridges or for reduced loads in rifle cartridges so a FAC could also cover shotgun powders in those instances if you didn't have a SGC.
I know it's yet another layer of bureaucracy to go through for shooters and I'm definitely against that. But without this simple check, it's as easy as pie for terrorists and other criminals to acquire all the components and tools necessary to make ammunition. So in this instance, flashing your certificate to buy powder and primers I feel is no bad thing. As a preventative measure is it perfect? Not at all, but that isn't a reason not to do it.
The violent crime reduction bill made it law when buying form a gun shop that you must have a current FAC conditioned for the type of metallic cartridge primer you are buying.Just curious - do you now need an FAC to buy primers and powder? Can’t remember ever being asked for my cert for these over the years?
Explosive Regulation 2014 removed the ability for anybody to just go and buy smokeless powder you must meet one of the conditions to purchase it like have an FAC or SGC.
The shop should check to be compliant, but these legal conditions do not apply between individuals.
Steff
Well-Known Member
You don‘t know how lucky you are!
In Germany we have to acquire a licence to be allowed to buy reloading powders.
In order to get such a licence we have to follow a course for usually tow days and then pass a test. And the licence has to be renewed every five years with a full check of your personal background by the federal police. This alone takes up to three months.
On buying the powder the dealer has to register every single tub of powder by means of a newly introduced unique ID number (EU law) and he also needs to note this down in your licence as the maximum quantity within five years is usually limited to 25 kg.
Primers however, which contain the real explosive, can be bought freely by anyone over 18.
Completely nuts.
In Germany we have to acquire a licence to be allowed to buy reloading powders.
In order to get such a licence we have to follow a course for usually tow days and then pass a test. And the licence has to be renewed every five years with a full check of your personal background by the federal police. This alone takes up to three months.
On buying the powder the dealer has to register every single tub of powder by means of a newly introduced unique ID number (EU law) and he also needs to note this down in your licence as the maximum quantity within five years is usually limited to 25 kg.
Primers however, which contain the real explosive, can be bought freely by anyone over 18.
Completely nuts.I believe in Belgium reloaders are only allowed to hold a maximum of 2kg of smokeless powder, so I agree we are lucky and hence it is really just a minor inconvenience to have to show a FAC or SGC to buy what we need.You don‘t know how lucky you are!
In Germany we have to acquire a licence to be allowed to buy reloading powders.
In order to get such a licence we have to follow a course for usually tow days and then pass a test. And the licence has to be renewed every five years with a full check of your personal background by the federal police. This alone takes up to three months.
On buying the powder the dealer has to register every single tub of powder by means of a newly introduced unique ID number (EU law) and he also needs to note this down in your licence as the maximum quantity within five years is usually limited to 25 kg.
Primers however, which contain the real explosive, can be bought freely by anyone over 18.
Not so lucky with what firearms we can own, no pistols, no self loading centre fire rifles, those were the good days, gone forever.
Steff
Well-Known Member
How right you are. I don't envy you on this one.
You need to produce an FAC to purchase primers, FAC is a valid substitute for an explosive certificate for possession of smokeless propellant and you are not required to produce one by law (as far as i can see) but a lot are starting to ask to see one it seemsJust curious - do you now need an FAC to buy primers and powder? Can’t remember ever being asked for my cert for these over the years?
The shop will ask to see it otherwise how do they know you have one and are legally entitled to buy the smokeless powder and comply with the transfer of explosives part of ER2016, they also have to comply with the record keeping part of ER2016 which is simple to do by recording the certificate details. The final decision to sell the powder to you is theirs.
Yes, yes, we've been here already - the last conversation I had with a well known RFD in the south west when buying powder a few weeks ago was 'not that it is essential but do you have your FAC with you' response was 'no but you have me on record anyway......'
If it were rifle or pistol primers they would have flat refused to sell them to me as they must see the FAC before handing over the goods, that is the difference
You don‘t know how lucky you are!
In Germany we have to acquire a licence to be allowed to buy reloading powders.
In order to get such a licence we have to follow a course for usually tow days and then pass a test. And the licence has to be renewed every five years with a full check of your personal background by the federal police. This alone takes up to three months.
On buying the powder the dealer has to register every single tub of powder by means of a newly introduced unique ID number (EU law) and he also needs to note this down in your licence as the maximum quantity within five years is usually limited to 25 kg.
Primers however, which contain the real explosive, can be bought freely by anyone over 18.
Viva La Brexit
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