Obtaining a FEL

[newtewsmoke]

*Federal Explosives License* has any body went thru the process to obtain one? I'm considering applying, looks like quite an undertaking to get approved. Seems it would be nice to be able to provide BP at events around the country, my current life situation would allow me to do just that assuming I'd be able to acquire the amount of powder necessary and be in compliance w/ all the regs . I obviously need to do a lot more research. Just fishing for insight.

 

[deerstalkert]

do you enjoy visits to your proctologist? such a licensee is open to ATF intrusions without notice.
i had a ffl for years. that was bad enough. in the current political dark ages i should think an explosives manufacture/distributor license would be a nightmare. Noble intent but i would consult an attorney before proceeding. your liability insurance will be a bunch.

 

[newtewsmoke]

Here's an added question, is there anybody that sells powder anymore at events big or small? There was one that did Friendship, are they still in business?

 

[FishDFly]

Friendship still has powder.

 

[Ponderosaman]

I knew a guy in the darkest depths of the ammo shortage that sold reloads. He was not licensed in any way. If I was at friendship and someone was selling some home brew powder, I might want to try it. Not saying that is what the person you were thinking of was doing. A side hustle hobby and a real business are two different things. Blackpowder is a commodity and requires mass production to make the numbers work, but like beer, maybe your vision may start a revolution (craft powder).

 

[hawkeye2]

Well we all know that it's illegal to sell black (or other grades of) powder with out an explosives license and manufacturing powder to sell is even a more serious issue. A friend is a large black powder distributor/retailer; he says the BATF is there every few weeks meticulously checking his facility and records. I suspect you would need a license for each location that you wished to sell at. A friend had an FFL and sold at two locations; his shop on his home property and the jewelry store he owned. Somewhere around 1987 the regulations changed and he was required to get a separate license for each location. My friend has a large magazine buried in the hillside far from any structures on his land and only sells from his property. He does ship but there are no transactions off his property. Deerstalkert is right on in his post (#2). I seriously doubt the income would sustain the size and type of business you are contemplating but I wish you luck if you proceed.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Seems it would be nice to be able to provide BP at events around the country, my current life situation would allow me to do just that assuming I'd be able to acquire the amount of powder necessary and be in compliance w/ all the regs .

Ah the devil is surely in the details...,

The reason why this isn't done these days is because not only do you need the Federal license, but you need to be licensed in the state and local jurisdiction where you'd be selling. The location would need to be zoned for BP sales in some states, as well. THEN , you would be transporting to that location, SO..., you'd need to be operating a hazmat authorized carrier vehicle, and the person driving would need a Hazmat CDL license.

Stuff changes when you go from an individual transporting your powder for your use at a sporting or historic event, to a person transporting to be a vendor.

LD

 

[dave951]

I once looked into it and nope, not for me. Past the regulations is insurance costs and nobody wants a powder magazine next door. Then you get to meet with BATF quite often.

 

[Archer 756]

Back Creek at NSSA events and at his store

 

[hawkeye2]

Back Creek at NSSA events and at his store

Which are the same place.

 

[Robby]

I thought about it years ago but......................

..........and these days I'm even less inclined.
If it suits you, go for it!
Robby