totse.com | what are the laws on flash powder?

napalm113 · #1 2007-06-21, 02:54

I remember reading that you can make up to 1lb a year in the US, but now i can't remember where I read that. Does any one know what law I'm thinking of?

H a r o l d · #2 2007-06-21, 05:00

There are various conflicting statutes and it depends on what state you're in. But it's definitely not anything you'd want to a cop find in your possession.

nuclearrabbit · #3 2007-06-21, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blinky04

You might not have realised, but our entire hobby happens to be illegal.

Mokothar · #4 2007-06-21, 14:57

Quote list FTW!

Legally, it would be the manufacture, possession, illegal storage off an explosive. With or without intention to manufacture an explosive device.

psyco_1322 · #5 2007-06-21, 22:49

If it burns they dont want you to make it.

stupid noob · #6 2007-06-22, 02:32

Some states allow the manufacture of small amounts of paper cased salutes with a regulation on the weight of the powder per device. Usually though, ground salutes are illegal. Aerial salutes are ok in some places, but if you really want to mess with pyrotechnics, make fountains, and aerial shells and shit. Star guns and gerbs and the like. And yeah, if you get caught with a pound of flash powder, you are fucked.

napalm113 · #7 2007-06-22, 05:49

what about red or white powder? im guessing back powder is illegal.

Don't college chemestry students make explosive shit all the time though? You can buy ammonium nitrate, nitrocelulose, and black powder all over the place so there must be some legal limit on quantity.

psyco_1322 · #8 2007-06-22, 15:09

Buying it and making it in the US in two totally different things. You can buy NC but making it is WAY illegal. Thats production of a high explosive without a license there. Thats goping gto land you in jail for awail and might get you on a watch list. Flash wont be much different. But if you have a ATF explosives license than its ok to make flash, I think. Tell the cops that the falsh is something else like star comp. I mean how many cops will be able to id flash or NC, that still looks like cotton, by eye? I quite desolving my NC in aceetone for that reason. If the cops come than they just think its cotton, unless they take a lighter to it.

napalm113 · #9 2007-06-22, 16:43

i dont store flash powder, i make it, fill salutes with it, and if there is any left i dispose of it. the salutes i keep in unmarked, black, wood crates

psyco_1322 · #10 2007-06-22, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by napalm113 View Post

i dont store flash powder, i make it, fill salutes with it, and if there is any left i dispose of it. the salutes i keep in unmarked, black, wood crates

Those are bombs and are no better than having flash laying around if cops come. Storing flash shouldnt be a problem if it good flash. If it KMnO4 or Mg flash I would advise not store it. Others shoudl be ok. I store my Magnalium flash and never have issues.

napalm113 · #11 2007-06-23, 01:50

do you use magnesium and potassium perchlorate or nitrate? how does it compair? I allways wanted to try magnesium ammonium perchlorate flash powder

Flamethrowa · #12 2007-06-23, 14:51

This is a good thread, it's informative, etc etc. it's also your thread, please try to keep it on topic?

There's a thread about flash comps right on the front page

http://www.totse.com/community/showthread.php?t=2018943

tyrael · #13 2007-06-23, 14:57

ok this is uk law so im assuming us law is more lenient

Quote:

New Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations

9.(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall manufacture explosives unless he holds a licence for that manufacture and complies with the conditions of that licence.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to- (a) the manufacture of explosives for the purpose of laboratory analysis, testing, demonstration or experimentation (but not for practical use or sale) where the total quantity of explosives being manufactured at any time does not exceed 50 grams;

so you can make flash for demonstration and/or experimentation purposes as long as you keep it under 50 grams per batch (making large batches is unsafe anyway)

Quote:

5. Gunpowder shall not be kept at any place except as follows; that is to say,
(1) Except in the factory (either lawfully existing or licensed for the same under this Act) in which it is manufactured; or
(2) Except in a magazine or store for gunpowder either lawfully existing or licensed under this Act for keeping gunpowder; or
(3) Except in premises registered under this Act for keeping gunpowder.
Provided that this section shall not apply-
(1) To a person keeping for his private use and not for sale gunpowder to an amount not exceeding on the same premises thirty pounds; or
(2) To the keeping of gunpowder by a carrier or other person for the purpose of conveyance, when the same is being conveyed or kept in accordance with the provisions of this Act with respect to the conveyance of gunpowder.
Any gunpowder kept in any place other than above in this section shall be deemed to be kept in an unauthorised place.
Where any gunpowder is kept in an unauthorised place-
(1) All or any part of the gunpowder found in such place may be forfeited; and
(2) The occupier of such place, and also the owner of, or other person guilty of keeping the gunpowder, shall each be liable to a penalty not exceeding two shillings for every pound of gunpowder so kept.

OK so this part doesn't apply to flash but the fact that i can keep 30lbs of gunpowder around for private use is a important one

on a more humours note i found the fine of 2 shillings (about 10p) per pound of gunpowder quite amusing
if the cops found 500lbs of gunpowder in my attic i doubt i would get away with a £50 fine

Ozzy Bot · #14 2007-06-23, 16:06

When Using the more "exotic" flash powders i always add 1-2% of boric acid to keep shit stable.

Ozzy Bot · #15 2007-06-24, 07:16

Dammit, wrong thread!