"NO EXCEPTIONS FORBUYING AND SELLING TO FRIENDS"You can do anything you want. You can sell guns to minors, sell black powder at gun shows, rob banks, etc.
If one sells black powder one is required by federal law to have an explosive license. I have seen no exceptions for buying and selling BP to friends.
Well, I have not seen anything in writing that defines "Group Buy" as mentioned either.
Different states, different rules, even different Counties in a State can have different laws.
When I was in California (1990s, early 2000s) I was allowed 5 lbs in Pasadena, later I moved to San Fernando Valley, the law there said "2lb per person".
For "Group Buys" the one ordering and dividing had to have a permit (forget what it was called) and HAD to be a designated 'something or other' of a Group.
Back around 1998 we had a problem; it was discovered the 'Leader' was skimming powder (opening the cans and skimming off the top). A lot of anger broke out, others said they would make the purchase so we should go to them on the next buy - that was when someone printed out the 'Law' that explained not just anyone (in California) could legally make a 'Group Buy' because they would, for a moment in time, be in possession of more then the legal limit without that Group Permit (can't recall what it was, but not a technical 'explosive license')
Laws change, no idea what California details are today, don't care. Where I live not I am allowed up to 50 lbs, no explosives license required - BUT - a store (ammo dealer) has Strict rules so no one carries it here....but we do see it selling at gun shows...openly, on the table - these shows fallow the laws, don't want to be shut down...so I buy it, IF the price is right.