how to dispose of old ammunition in california

Make sure you call ahead first. Call the non-emergency number of the police to let them know you need to dispose of ammunition. If youre on the edge and dont know whether you should dispose of your ammo, here are some hints that its time. This puts sanitary service personnel at risk. So theoretically you could sell half this month, wait 30 days, and sell the rest. Yes and no. One last thing to keep in mind, though, is that you're likely to encounter some other advice for methods of ammo disposal along the way. Through an FFL01. The California Ammunition Vendor/Firearms Dealer will submit your firearm eligibility check to the Department. What about ammo that has corrosion on the case and where it is in the crease between the bullet and the casing? Most garbage trucks have a compactor, which could set off ammunition dumped in with the other household garbage and potentially harm equipment or people nearby. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Using a bullet puller I separate out the components. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Message and data rates may apply. Pull any rounds that seem short or unusual, and set them aside. Bring Ammo To The Range For Disposal Therefore, I recommend you do not put live cartridges into an open fire. Suffice it to say, you should NOT dispose of ammunition by burying it. Old ammunition can explode and should always be treated with great care if it shows any signs of degradation. You also should not throw ammunition away in the trash. Disposal. If you'd like to learn more about guns, check out our in-depth interview with Bryan Villella. * Please note that some external links provide information that is not managed nor updated by OC Waste & Recycling. This creates a real safety hazard and it is also not eco-friendly. We have compiled the five most effective ways to get rid of your ammunition. However, I recommend you only give ammo to someone knowledgeable about ammunition and firearms. The biggest risk is lead. They should be able to tell you where you can drop it off, either with them or someplace else, or even send an officer to pick it up from you, according to the NRA. You can recycle brass shell casings by turning them over to a scrap metal facility and save some money for the next time you buy ammo. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Most manufacturers claim their ammunition should keep for ten years. Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. The most feasible ways to disposing of unwanted ammunition is to contact the police or your local sheriff's office. However, if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable around ammunition, I do not recommend this method. My name is Mike and my goal is to provide you with all types of information for your everyday carry needs. A few methods are available for safely and appropriately disposing of old or unwanted ammo. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 11,234 times. i would like to know what calibers you have and what guns you have you might make enough to go on a sweet vacation to margaritaville. Alternatively, drill a couple holes in the side of the cases and dump the intact cartirdges in a bucket of old motor oil for a couple days. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. Jumping through the proper disposal methods might seem like a huge hassle, especially if you only have a handful of old rounds. Visit RecycleBC.ca/Hazardous to learn more and access the online depot As a dealer, I encourage customers to bring in anything that they feel they need to get rid of, not so that I can get a great deal from someone that just doesn't know what they have, but to offer free advice to a customer in need. However, if you dont feel safe shooting old rounds, even if there are no signs of corrosion, dont do it. Ammunition projectiles, propellant, and primers . Can You Shoot A New Gun Straight Out Of The Box. Next, lets discuss why putting unused ammo in the ground is a bad idea. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When it comes to ammunition that has been used, youre really just left with the brass casing. Police warn gun owners not to bring their firearms or ammunition directly to a police facility. This can make it more susceptible to backfiring if you try to use it. There are also hazardous waste centers that take bad ammo for safe disposal. When youre selling or giving away an item, always meet the person in public to make the exchange safer. I am a concealed permit holder (for over a decade), a lifetime NRA member, certified firearms instructor, and a firearm enthusiast. The company says that it's less expensive to get gold through its process than via traditional mining. Medications and sharps should be handled carefully. Take the powder you wish to dispose of and pour it in a straight line on your sidewalk. Ammunition can be surprisingly resilient. Give it away, some reloaded will tear it down for comPonents. It is best to keep ammo in an airtight container when possible. Manage unusable assembled ammunition as a hazardous waste. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. You can also schedule a household hazardous waste pickup using the Folsom Waste Collection App. I would like to know why the OP thought it was illegal to sell ammo. Safe and responsible ammo disposal is a big part of this. The firing ranges will usually take them and dispose of them. If your old ammo has shown any of these signs, then you need to safely dispose of it. As far as I recall, you are only required to have an ammunition vendors license (automatically given to FFLs) if you sell more than 500 rounds in a 30 day period. This is another case where it is a good idea to call ahead before showing up with a bunch of rounds of bad ammo. You can use the Earth911 Recycling Locator to find a collection point, or check your city/county website. Kinetic pullers are generally safe, but trying to separate bullets with other tools can be dangerous. Perhaps youve got unusable ammo laying around that you want to dispose of or recycle. Lead exposure has several adverse health effects, especially for children. If you decide to go the police route, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Some auto retail centers and disposal facilities can recycle tires. Whether a landfill or other type of facility, it's probably not equipped to handle ammunition as a waste product. You must have the right tools and be willing to learn how to identify rounds that are in the right condition for reloading. But what if it's reloaded with controlled substances?? Gun store personnel are well-versed in handling ammunition and many of them will accept bad ammunition for safe disposal. We have a section on this forum for selling ammunition. If you dont reload, now might be a good time to consider it as a new hobby. But why? We educate and inform consumers, businesses and communities to inspire thought and facilitate earth-positive consumer decisions. (such as promotion codes and cart reminders) from AMD at the number provided, Since the gun range already knows what to do with dangerous or discarded ammo, you can probably leave yours with them. There are a few suggestions weve seen or heard that should be clarified. Additionally, trash can end up in a landfill and hazmat is bed for the environment. Always contact your source for proper guidelines on transporting, packaging or delivering sensitive items for recycling or disposal. Reloaders are equipped to break the ammunition down into smaller parts safely and may work with gun stores to buy old stock or repurpose turned-in ammo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvLAsyTVC0. This site (EverydayCarryConcealed.com) is owned and operated by Graphite Designs LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Virginia, USA. Factory ammo is also made to very high standards and exacting specifications that will help to ensure that it maintains a shelf life that lasts for many years. Never had a misfire. The lead found in most bullets can leach into the surrounding soil and into the local water supply. . The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. It's more important than ever. Most local waste management facilities don't accept ammunition. Recycling Your opinion please. Empty cartridges not attached to a battery are considered landfill waste. Depending on the area you live in, it may be a municipal operation or it could be a private company, or perhaps a private company that contracts with your local government. I've always disposed of mine downrange before I sell the last gun in that caliber :-). This article has been viewed 11,234 times. However, you can call your local waste management department to find out what to do with it. Most ammunition is fairly inexpensive, and there's no point in risking injury to shoot some ammo "just in case" it's still good. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Since the smokeless powder isn't explosive, it will slowly burn down the trail you have created. Usually, I can re-use the case even if the powder or other parts of the cartridge are compromised. Contact Local Law Enforcement. If you are unsure whether it is safe to transport the item you wish to dispose of, contact MAST at 619-236-6815 to speak with an explosives expert. You can schedule a household hazardous waste pickup by using the Waste Wizard online tool or by calling us at 916-461-6730. The bullet is typically made of lead but could be another type of metal or cased in another type of metal. They may offer to pick it up or ask you to bring it in, but once it's in their possession, the authorities handle the rest. Brian formerly managed the Earth911 Recycling Search and shared green living tips and tricks on Earth911s Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter accounts. Copyright 2022 Ammunition Depot, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Unleashing the Firepower of John Wick 4: The Top Featured Guns and Ammo, Florida Becomes the 26th State to Adopt Constitutional Carry, Gear Review: Rattlesnake Tactical Medium Range Bag, How to Transfer Ownership of a Gun: State by State, Best of the Best, September 2022 Gun Giveaway (CONTEST ENDED). Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else. Additionally, some cartridges are beyond salvation and you should be able to identify the difference. Clean-up Fresno County. However, there are restrictions on the mailing of hazardous materials. Evans Gunsmithing Shooters World. By using our site, you agree to our. If they cant take your ammo, they may be able to recommend the best option in your area. A registration and disposal fee is required based on the type and quantity of waste being disposed. Shooters have unearthed sealed boxes of 50 year-old ammo from surplus ammo cans and fired them with zero complications. First off, I would say include it with the firearm for sale. I decided to limit the old ammo to use in one of my revolvers, because I suspected there would be failures to fire. Ballistics experts have reported that ammo ranging from 20 to 50 years old will fire with no problem as long as it was stored the right way. 2023 Copyright - The Survival Journal - All Rights Reserved, Turn the Ammo Over to Your Local Police Department, Take the Ammo to a Hazardous Waste Drop-off Center, B.O.B Mastery: The Ultimate Bug-Out Bag Guide, Bushcraft Survival Skills To Survive In The Wilderness, Survival Hacks: Over 100 Hacks Using Simple Household Items, Military Survival Guide: 8 Skills From Navy Seals, Special Forces, and Elite Military Units, Quicksand Survivsal Guide: How to survive falling in Quicksand, Holiday Survival Guide: How To Survive The Holidays, Winter is Coming. I want to reregister it in California so that I can conceal carry this pistol( I am retired from lapd with a ccw. Many of the disposal suggestions youll find online are actually dangerous, illegal, or both. Additionally, ammunition left in an environment that impacts performance of the primer or powder charge should be disposed of. Preferably lock your firearm (s) in a secure container. It is not dynamite, Which has no metal case. This will prolong its shelf life even more. You never want to gamble with your own safety. Some of your ammo may be worth alot of money to collectors. If you have a large amount of ammunition, however, they may not. Dibs on milsurp 30-06! E-bike batteries can be disposed of at OC's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. Give them a call at their non-emergency number and let them know you have some unwanted ammunition you want to dispose of. Growing up the son of a Marine, I was raised to be prepared and adaptable to overcome life's challenges. With this said, some of the other warning signs that old ammo has degraded include: So we have established that there are some signs that show that old ammo has become unfit for use. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You may contact those sites directly with any questions, requests or updates. If you have recently come into the possession of old ammo, you have probably found yourself asking the question can old ammunition explode. Oxidation isnt the only reason to pitch ammunition. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This recommendation is pretty conservative when it comes to ammo, but companies want to limit liability and keep customers safe. However, even though its tempting, tossing any ammunition into the trash is incredibly dangerous. This is a clear sign of deterioration that can make the ammo unsafe to use. Some Nike stores in the US and Europe offer shoe recycling, so check your local store and see if they participate. To dispose of any unwanted firearms and/or ammunition, you may turn them in to the Police Department. As long as ammo has been stored in a cool and dry place and was not exposed to high humidity, then it will remain viable for many years. . Whether you're completely new to gun ownership and shooting or a seasoned pro, at some point you'll likely encounter ammunition that can't be shot. Put the powder in a flower bed and the other components in the trash. Above are acceptable options for recycling or disposing of ammo. If you dont feel safe shooting old or damaged ammunition, how are you supposed to get rid of it? They may accept waste from other communities, as well. CLOSED NOW. Search an A-Z list of recycling options for Orange County residents. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Carpet recycling is available at select locations in Orange County. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Another option that we recommend when you are looking to safely dispose of old ammo is to get ahold of your local shooting range. Contact the recycling information center at 503-234-3000 if you have . You may have inherited a firearm and ammunition from a loved one who has passed away or you might have won a bid at a blind auction. Along with controlled substances. Appointments can be made by calling 530-583-7800. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Do some research! Our mission is to bring survival skills and self-reliance back to the modern man as they seem like they were lost decades ago. Storage. Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. One thing that you should never do is to bury old ammo. If you opt to dispose of ammunition this way, here are tips for the transfer: Another way to get rid of ammunition is by taking it to your local shooting range. 20 years is nothing for ammo, unless its covered in corrosion! Ask about a pickup to your area for multiple unwanted firearms. Corrosion is an indication that moisture has contaminated the round. If the bullet sits at a funny angle or the primer isnt correctly seated, or the crimp looks wrong, that isnt a cartridge you want to risk firing.