Pennsylvania laws / black powder

[nessmuk1953]

Wondering if anyone in PA might tell me if Black Powder can be sold to out of state residents? I know it is shipped mail order out of PA.

Anyway I stopped by one of the major chains (initials GM) yesterday while on my way home to Virginia and asked if they had GEOX. I was right there and figured I would take advantage. They did and I asked for two cans of 2F. When the clerk found out I was from Virginia he mumbled something about PA state laws and he could only sell to residents. I have purchased powder in both West Virginia and Maine in the last year and found this odd, but said thank you and left. Was he right or just blowing smoke? Just curious if anyone knows.

Bob

 

[RC]

well, I know guys from n.y. who stop at j&j in moscow pa.on their way to or from a vous, to get 25 lbs of goex, and they've never had a problem...RC

 

[nessmuk1953]

I figured as much. The poor guy seemed like he was making up the excuse as he went along. I wish these places would get the staff up to snuff on these things, but I guess that is asking a bit much.

 

[RC]

when I was looking around for a place to order powder from,,most guys here get it from J&J in PA. but I figured having a back up source wasn't a bad idea.. these places have a history of going Boom once in awhile.. anyways I contacted every place listed on the goex site, and the responses were well different(?) some said you had to have 5 names and driver I.D. ## , some had forms to send you to fill out and then once okayed you could order,some had you write out your intent w/ the powder and enclose w/ your order and one said what do you want,we'll ship it out today.. all different,all would've been shipping to n.y. but different rules by each supplier..I've done business w/ j&j and hall explosives,both in pa. both are great to deal with and I've had no problems in 6 plus years...well the price goin up hurt,and the hazmat thing,and yeah the "fuel surcharge" on shipping???? but the powder people are great..just my expierence..RC

 

[Bountyhunter]

I cant think of a single experience that I have had with GM that I could call satisfying. They have a store in Amarillo TX that is totally staffed with people who cannot and do not want to know anything or do anything. It is an unnerving experience to even go in the store.

 

[lonewolf5347]

I live on long island n.y. and always purchase BP from D@R over in Naticoke PA. never had any problems,ever purchase a 45-70 H@R 1871 Buffalo Classic ,no problems at all. :thumbsup:

 

[nessmuk1953]

I guess at the big chains it is difficult to find staff that really has a handle on what they are doing. Before he told me he could not sell it to me he asked me not to shake it much while leaving the store. Sad thing is, I think he was serious. Hard to believe , but true.

 

[RC]

Well gees, if'n you had took the can, givin it a real good shake,grabbed your camera an took a picture of the clerk you could've entered it in musketmans eebie -jeebie contest...(see:NON- muzzleloading forums under eebie or jeebie!) thinkin you could've had a winner there!!! oh hindsight....dang! :rotf: :rotf: RC

 

[GKChesterton]

The store clerk was absolutely right about not shaking the can, very dangerous. Of course I assume that the top was off and you were holding it beneath your chin while carelessly smoking a cigarette? :nono:

 

[nessmuk1953]

Thought some might be interested. Here is the note I received from the store when I questioned the law. The Operations manager wrote: I'm sorry that you weren't able to purchase black powder from us. I
contacted our person who handles all the rules and regulations about that,
and he said that the only time you can sell black powder to a resident of
another state is when the customers state has legislation adopted making it
legal for that customer to purchase black powder from a dealer. Again I am
sorry, I sure wish that we could sell it to you. I hope if you get up this
way again you will stop in and shop with us.

I found this line particularly interesting: when the customers state has legislation adopted making it
legal for that customer to purchase black powder from a dealer.

I guess I will have to go to the legislature of VA and ask that a special bill be passed just for me :grin:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Don't get your legal advice from some store clerk. Talk to your own attorney, or even call the NRA. That is not the law. Federal law controls who is a dealer, and who can buy from him. States can limit what instate merchants can sell to out of state people, within narrowly designed limits that do not offend the Interstate Commerce Clause. Since there is no Federal registration requirements for FFL holders to fill out, or maintain when selling BP, there is no reason for them to ask where you are from when they sell you BP ! Now, if Virginia has passed its own registration law, or bans sales of Bp to non-residents, that would be something else, and I would want to challenge any such law as interfereing with Interstate Commerce. This is a jurisdictional matter of great importance between the federal government, and all the states. A state law would have to be very carefully written to not violate Federal law on this subject.

 

[nessmuk1953]

I am with you 100% on this. I just found their response sad, but funny. You would think they could take a day or two to educate anyone who they hire to work in their stores. Sounds to me though as though the management doesn't have a clue, so why should the help. I am going to write the main HQ for further 'clarification'. In the meantime I ordered from a supplier in AK.

 

[Toomuch_36]

Wondering if anyone in PA might tell me if Black Powder can be sold to out of state residents? I know it is shipped mail order out of PA.

Anyway I stopped by one of the major chains (initials GM) yesterday while on my way home to Virginia and asked if they had GEOX. I was right there and figured I would take advantage. They did and I asked for two cans of 2F. When the clerk found out I was from Virginia he mumbled something about PA state laws and he could only sell to residents. I have purchased powder in both West Virginia and Maine in the last year and found this odd, but said thank you and left. Was he right or just blowing smoke? Just curious if anyone knows.

Bob

Not necessarly "blowing smoke", considering G.M.'s ignorant managers and illiterate staff he probably didn't know and just thought it sounded good.
Just par for the course with them. :shake:

Toomuch
..........
Shoot Flint

 

[kayja]

I know this thread is a little old but NY Black Powder Law reads like this to me, Am I wrong.
39.12 Special provisions relating to black powder.

(a) General.

(1) The provisions of this section shall apply only in connection with the transportation, storage and sporting use of black powder in quantities of five pounds or less when such powder is used in antique firearms or weapons or replicas thereof.

(2) Persons shall use, store, buy, sell, possess, transport, receive or dispose of black powder only in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Law and of this Part (rule).

(b) Transportation.

(1) Vehicles carrying five pounds or less of black powder and carrying no other explosives shall be marked or placarded either on both sides or on both front and rear with circular signs or decals. Every such sign or decal shall have a minimum diameter of six inches and shall contain the letters "LOW-EX" in legible black letters at least one and one-quarter inches in height on a yellow background.


http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/safetyhealth/sh39_12.shtm

 

[Bob Riegl]

:v I used to buy my BP in French Creek Traders now in Phoenixville PA any time I visited my kids who live in the area---I only had to produce a driver's license and was warned about crossing bridges when going home. Never was a problem. :hatsoff:

 

[kayja]

I am just wondering about how the law would be used if you got stopped by a cop and had a case on the back seat, it looke to me like 5# is all a person is allowed to have in NYS