how to dispose of old ammunition in california

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Need to get rid of it but not sure where it goes? It's much better to inadvertently dispose of good ammo than to try and shoot bad ammo. Many ranges will collect dud rounds (cartridges that dont fire when the trigger is pulled) and dispose of them properly. You might want to check some of the auctions and see what they are selling for. Shell casings may be reused to make more bullets, or the metal could be melted down and used for something else. I have been reloading in excess of 50 years now and have never found a satisfactory way to dispose of live primers. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. You're right about storage conditions and shelf life. They might offer to help you safely dispose of old ammo. To register for an appointment call the City's hazardous waste contractor (Clean Harbors) at (800) 433-5060 or send an email request to VSQG@cleanharbors.com . First is to call your local waste management service provider. The caveat to this long shelf life is the same as it is with all things related to firearms: It's better to be safe than sorry. By entering your phone number and submitting this form, Make sure you call the non-emergency line of your local police department ahead of your visit. If you're using a storage tray, pout the flares in a compartment separate from other items. Brian formerly managed the Earth911 Recycling Search and shared green living tips and tricks on Earth911s Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter accounts. Any quality gun range should have a plan for dangerous or discarded rounds, probably involving local law enforcement or a recycling company. You can reuse the projectile and the case, although you might need to clean them up a bit. If you are like me, you are probably wanting to know more about why it is the case that ammo can become unsafe to use and what the signs are that it is degrading. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouths Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)created a prototype of a device that can disassemble cartridges into their component parts for recycling. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Metro's household hazardous waste facilities will accept ammunition under .50 caliber from households. Address. * Please note that some external links provide information that is not managed nor updated by OC Waste & Recycling. Give it away, some reloaded will tear it down for comPonents. The first place to check is your local police station. Loaded ammo only deteriorates when exposed to moisture. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. Home electronics, cell phones and some digital appliances can go to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Getting rid of your old ammo is relatively easy, but it's important to do it correctly so it's not dangerous to others. Larger quantities or pickup truck-sized loads of household hazardous waste must be taken to the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility at the Ada County Landfill. The primary danger associated with ammunition is accidental discharge. Chances are pretty good that Grandpas old ammunition is perfectly fine. Its okay to throw away brass casings from spent bullets after youve fired them. The California Ammunition Vendor/Firearms Dealer will submit your firearm eligibility check to the Department. Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the station. Since I'm planning on selling off all my firearms. Since this ammo was stored in a cool, dark environment during those 50 odd years, it serves to illustrate that conditions were optimal and a prime factor in the ammo longevity. Sometimes ammo doesn't fire properly or there are instances of double feeds, jams, and other situations that leaves the range with live ammo to dispose of. Characteristics of "Bad" Ammo. I've always disposed of mine downrange before I sell the last gun in that caliber :-). EverydayCarryConcealed.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. #9. There are also some other key signs that you need to watch out for if you want to avoid dangerous issues with old ammo. As gun owners, we want to be sure we act responsibly, especially when it comes to disposing of our unwanted ammunition. If you find yourself in possession of unwanted firearms, you can surrender it to the Sheriff's office by following the steps below. So what are you supposed to do with unwanted ammunition? This is another great option for safely and responsibly getting rid of that old ammo that is no longer safe for use. If you have recently come into the possession of old ammo, you have probably found yourself asking the question can old ammunition explode. They work with local police agencies and ammunition recycling companies to pick up these old ammunition rounds. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Since firearms last more than a lifetime, families often have small and large collections of guns in their home. If you've lately come into possession of outdated ammunition, you've probably wondered if it can explode. Another thing that you should never do is to throw your old ammo away in a regular trash can. 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. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. We'll even tell you what not to do with it so you can be as safe as possible. While its not illegal to throw away bullets in most areas, you still shouldnt do it because its so dangerous. Most of the time, as long as it was stored correctly, it is actually safe to use old ammo. The Fresno County Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility is located at: Google Map to HHW Facility. Some of the .22's boxes were 50+ years old (the local stores they were price tagged closed in the late 60's). If you have a large amount of damaged ammo, they might even send someone out to pick it up. 2. If the ammunition is unused, its possible to recycle it, but the ability to do so isnt widely available. Contact the recycling information center at 503-234-3000 if you have . Period. 0 or 60 yr old ammo is still good as long as there is no corrosion on the primers or rust on the cases. How To Concealed Carry For The Most States. 1. Cracked Casing. That might have been acceptable with old-time "black powder," a mixture of charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate, but smokeless powders contain a laundry list of solvents, unsavory chemicals and compounds that should not go into the environment. Additionally, these facilities process different types of hazardous materials. Learn More! Storage. Empty cartridges not attached to a battery are considered landfill waste. Preferably lock your firearm (s) in a secure container. The bullet is typically made of lead but could be another type of metal or cased in another type of metal. You never want to gamble with your own safety. Pull any rounds that seem short or unusual, and set them aside. You must have the right tools and be willing to learn how to identify rounds that are in the right condition for reloading. Thank you for the information. Therefore, you can dispose of ammunition at these locations. In this case, someone at the station should point you in the right direction. TWW is classified as painted or chemically treated wood like fence posts and railroad ties require special handling. It may only take a few days for the powder and primer to dry out before the cartridge is good as new and just as dangerous. So, if you want to remove a gun from your home today, another option is to surrender it to your local police station. Instead, people interested in surrendering their weapons are asked to call the OPP non-emergency. If a round doesnt look right, dont risk firing it. I've fired 1939 ammo and it shoots as well, if not better than the the new lawerized stuff. Your opinion please. Always contact your source for proper guidelines on transporting, packaging or delivering sensitive items for recycling or disposal. Even if the water or oil thoroughly penetrates the cartridge and manages to disable it, it may only be temporary. Larger amounts must be tested and may qualify for fee exemptions. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. You can simply toss the gunpowder in your houseplants or your backyard garden. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. 5. OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers, California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CDTSC). Put the powder in a flower bed and the other components in the trash. Some departments will come to your home to take possession of the unwanted ammo. CA 95192-0204. But, if this sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend you check out my article on reloading because youre a prime candidate for making your own ammunition. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. If these items are used, stored, or disposed of improperly, you, your pets, or the environment can be injured. However, even though its tempting, tossing any ammunition into the trash is incredibly dangerous. NO Explosives or ammunition (includes marine flares) Non-empty aerosols. It's one of the main tasks these businesses deal with regularly. A driver loss control enrolled and ammo truck into a ditch. 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. They may also have additional suggestions on where to take it. I have been told that may not be possible. Some of your ammo may be worth alot of money to collectors. Bullets may accidentally go off under pressure or if they get too hot. Give them a call at their non-emergency number and let them know you have some unwanted ammunition you want to dispose of. Bullets are made of lead which can seep into the soil. Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. We offer the service on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Store in a cool, dry area that is locked or out of reach of children and pets. 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. Another option that we recommend when you are looking to safely dispose of old ammo is to get ahold of your local shooting range. Recycling Dud (unable to fire) ammunition is usually a prime target for recycling. Contact the station in advance and let them know you plan to turn over ammunition. However, if you dont feel safe shooting old rounds, even if there are no signs of corrosion, dont do it. In addition, your locality may have laws forbidding such practices. Appointments can be made by calling 530-583-7800. If they dont collect it there, make sure you check their collection events. Shooting it is the best way of disposal! If you're in Montgomery County, you probably aren't that far from Delaware County Field and Stream. 2. It can be tempting to just toss them out with the morning garbage. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouths Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), Earth911 Podcast: Yield10s Oliver Peoples on Genetic Engineerings Role in Regenerative Agriculture for Biofuels, Earth911 Podcast: AeroFarms Marc Oshima on Growing the Vertical Farming Opportunity, 9 States With Rapid Growth in Community Solar. Why toss it or bury it when you can use a bullet puller and recycle the bullet and casing?! If you decide to go the police route, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Yes and no. To dispose of any unwanted firearms and/or ammunition, you may turn them in to the Police Department. I would like to safely dispose. Earth911 is a universal resource that helps you find your own shade of green. What about ammo that has corrosion on the case and where it is in the crease between the bullet and the casing? If it was old ammo (that really, really needed to be destroyed due to years past its shelf life), it could be placed into a bucket filled with water and let it sit for a month, two months or longer. Export it to a country that allows it. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. There are a few suggestions weve seen or heard that should be clarified. However, if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable around ammunition, I do not recommend this method. 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. I'm Joe. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Since the smokeless powder isn't explosive, it will slowly burn down the trail you have created. Of course there's always liability problems. In any case, ask them about disposing of ammunition as it is typically done under the auspices of hazardous waste. The method you choose is up to you, and the best way is the one that suits your needs and comfort level. We educate and inform consumers, businesses and communities to inspire thought and facilitate earth-positive consumer decisions. The SJSU Center for Development of Recycling works in association with the counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo - Terms of Use. By using our site, you agree to our. If your old ammo has shown any of these signs, then you need to safely dispose of it. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In most cases, old ammo is safe, but it is also more likely to be a problem than new ammo. Some alarms and detectors contain radioactive materials requiring proper disposal. With these points made, it is worth looking further into this important topic. the unsubscribe link (where available) in one of our messages. Appointments are on Saturdays following the residential HHW drop-off hours. The lead found in many bullets should not be stuck in the ground where it can leach into the local water supply. While this sounds effective in theory, there are some serious problems with this method. Yet another option that we recommend for the safe disposal of old ammo is to contact your local gun store. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers can accept road flares.OPTIONS:Call your local police station or sheriff department for ammunition or gun take back days. This will prolong its shelf life even more. Corroded Casing and Bullet from Water Damage. I want to reregister it in California so that I can conceal carry this pistol( I am retired from lapd with a ccw. Both of these things are prime examples of what not to do to safely dispose of old ammo. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. You send the unwanted firearm This is not safe. If you have a large amount of ammunition, however, they may not. It's very informative and I will be following your advice. They may have a way of shipping ammo back to the manufacturer for disposal or access to a service that disposes ammo. Other advice you might hear consists of soaking ammo in water or oil to render the powder harmless so you can toss it in the trash. 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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1e\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"