flying fish Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 I don't like to think of myself as a complete newbie to fireworks in a technical sense, but I have, unfortunately ignored the legal aspects until just recently. After what you might call a "stern warning" from the guy who sold me blackpowder earlier today, I decided to actually read the orange book. Previously, I thought that homemade fireworks that matched the specs of consumer fireworks were legal, as long as they weren't stored (need to be set off within 24 hours). But the orange book seems to state otherwise. They say I need a lisence even for this. Is this correct or am I mis-interpreting? I'll probably join the PGI soon and maybe even get lisenced. But I want to know whether I should continue with my small scale expirimenting for the time being.
aquaman Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Yeah just be careful. Keep your fuels and oxidizers seperate (saftey). I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that manufacturing fireworks (any type) is illegal without a licence. Making Flash (just the powder) is illegal w/o a licence. Making over a certain amount of Black powder without storage is illegal. If you plan on storing anything it needs to be in a the correct type of storage magazine that is a certain many feet away from a house or road. Magize needs to be inclosed in a shed or building with two different type of locks. And the shed needs to be on concrete. If you plan on shooting anything off like a aerial shells you need a permit or something like that. Plus alot of the licences can be expensive and have to be renewed every year (costs less for renewal). keep your stuff out of site when your not using them. Don't broadcast that you make your own fireworks. When you make something don't store it for long. Use it. Getting licenced is a smart idea but can be really confusing. Read up on the Orange Book and try to stick with it as much as you can. I forgot alot and I'm probably going to read it again soon.
moonshot Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 If you are in the USA fireworks laws are different from state to state. Try googling fireworks laws for your state or immediate vicinity.
asilentbob Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 As i understand it is legal to make and shoot something on your own property, during a time without a burn or fireworks ban, providing: 1. You make and shoot it within 24 hours.2. It does not get transported anywhere (ie across property/state lines).3. It does not enter into commerce (you don't sell it or a service to set it off) (you can't legally put your nice 6" shell into a pro display because you don't have a manufacturing license(and the shell would be entering the commerse of the show)) (if your under a club license like the PGI, you can take your shell to the convention (under many rules) and shoot it off).4. Your county/state doesn't have a firework ban.5. It isn't given to someone else. IE you can't say "here, this is for you." "Thanks! and heres an early xmas present for you (slides envelope)."
JCrewPyros Posted March 27, 2008 Posted March 27, 2008 asilentbob... You confused me... Your here in Texas with me and probably know more about this crap than me but your #2 and #3 Conflict... If you were to take it to a convention you would be breaking rule #2 correct? Just curious because I would like to learn these laws myself... and as far as storing for only 24 sucks...
mormanman Posted March 27, 2008 Posted March 27, 2008 All I do is know how much trouble you can get in if you lucky like me. I got caught in Fort Worth with and shooting fireworks. BTW, I left out an important piece of information. Remember how the fire marshall is it would be a Class C misdemeanor, yeah he left out that they were home made. .
TheSidewinder Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 JCrew and Flying Fish You each need to get in touch with someone local to you, who had gone through the process of getting all the necessary permits for the area in which you live, Federal Law is over-ridden by State Law, and that's over-ridden by the AHJ. Generally: Federal Law allows a person to make explosives for their own personal use, without a permit, But State, Country, or Local regulations may prohibit it completely. The Federal "gotchas" are the storage requirements if you don't USE the explosives you made, the SAME DAY you made them, or words to that effect. As said, you really need to get hooked up with someone locally. CplMac (next state over) just went through all the hoops. And he did it in a fireworks-friendly state. And if you run across a Liberal politician or local AHJ with an anti-fireworks agenda and authority to regulate, good luck.... worthless heaps of shit, all of them. M
JCrewPyros Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 Sidewinder... Well... This was amusing to me... not because what you said but I was speaking to my roommate last night about this... He said " Oh yeah... well a woman on the city council came in to the shop today and I told her about it and she said if we get good enough they will pay for us to do a show for the city" I was like what? Kinda funny... Supposedly she frequents his shop often so I will get him to ask her questions regarding city and local laws pertaining to us... My biggest concern though is storing...
LRC253 Posted June 15, 2011 Posted June 15, 2011 I know this is a very old post however I cannot post a new topic yet. I live in Washington State and on top of the ATF Federal license my state has a fee of $2000 a year to make my own aerial shells for personal use only. Does this sound right or am I hopefully reading something wrong? I love this hobby and I'm very new to it however I cannot afford to spend that for 1 day a year.
Thanke Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) I know this is a very old post however I cannot post a new topic yet. I live in Washington State and on top of the ATF Federal license my state has a fee of $2000 a year to make my own aerial shells for personal use only. Does this sound right or am I hopefully reading something wrong? I love this hobby and I'm very new to it however I cannot afford to spend that for 1 day a year. I know nothing about Washington State law, but if that is true, Ouch! You may want to check to see if you have any local clubs available to you. This would allow you to manufacture at club events under the clubs license/insurance/permits and so-forth. Plus this is the best way to learn. Edited June 16, 2011 by Thanke
Mumbles Posted June 16, 2011 Posted June 16, 2011 I've heard of a few states like that. Alabama I believe comes to mind as well. The way most people have been able to get around it is to get a group together and split the costs. At least in other states, it's a fee per manufacturing license, and you can have quite a few people listed on the license.
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