how to dispose of old ammunition in california
Recycle your solar panels with a retailer or take to a OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Many local waste management services dont accept ammunition on a regular basis, so you may have to hold onto your unwanted rounds until a specific collection event. {"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":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The water or oil may not make it into the cartridge, or the gunpowder could dry out, making the cartridge dangerous once again if thrown into the trash. Whether its old, corroding ammunition, or rounds that wouldnt fire at the range, ammunition is one thing that needs to be disposed of carefully and properly. Knowing what you have and what to do with those firearms is important. You can schedule a household hazardous waste pickup by using the Waste Wizard online tool or by calling us at 916-461-6730. Ultimately, disposing or recycling ammunition isnt a big deal. This option isn't for everyone and requires that you have a commitment to safely and correctly reloading. CA (831) 454-2430 or (831) 454-3951. Central Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre (6711-154 Street) and North Surrey Recycling and Waste Centre (9770-192 Street) Disposal Days is back! 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. I'm Joe. In this case, someone at the station should point you in the right direction. Most private gun clubs have boxes of obsolete ammo that they keep just for folks to poke through and shoot up. Whenever you see any green corrosion on ammo that you own, you need to safely dispose of it. While the gunpowder can be used in fertilizer, the rest of a cartridge is not good for the environment. Storage. CLOSED NOW. The metals can each be recycled, and the gunpowder can be reused as fertilizer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Shooters have unearthed sealed boxes of 50 year-old ammo from surplus ammo cans and fired them with zero complications. There are a lot of reasons why you might find yourself in the possession of old ammunition. Where do you dispose of it legally? But how do you dispose of old ammo safely? I do not own a 12 gauge. The most feasible ways to disposing of unwanted ammunition is to contact the police or your local sheriff's office. A few years back my Grandfather passed and I was bequeathed his firearms and ammo (Mostly shotshells and .22 LR). Just because it has an indian head on the box. Therefore, here are the top 3 ways people dispose of ammo that are not safe. 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. The first gun I ever purchased was from Fowler when they were located in a little suite on Red Hill Ave next to a grocery store. So weve established that old ammo can possibly explode if it has begun to degrade and so we should make sure it is safe before thinking about using it. For tips and more information, check here. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The brass casing is recyclable, so after a round has been fired at the range, this portion can be recycled. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You also should not throw ammunition away in the trash. The idea is to ruin the powder and primer, supposedly rendering the cartridge harmless. Call (833) GIV-GUNS to speak to our firearms specialists about donating or selling your unwanted firearms. I want to reregister it in California so that I can conceal carry this pistol( I am retired from lapd with a ccw. You may contact those sites directly with any questions, requests or updates. Or maybe you have some old hunting ammo that shows some signs of corrosion. While the gunpowder can be used in fertilizer, the rest of a cartridge is not good for the environment. If you dont mind traveling to another city, check the counties around you to see if theyre hosting a hazardous waste collection event soon. Therefore, an in-person return is your best option. Then it could be buried (if city/county ordinance did not prevent) , never to be dealt with again. 2. Hazardous materials dumped on the ground or into the gutter can contaminate soil and the underground water supply. It is important to know the seven signs of "bad" ammo: Bent bullet or bent case. Whether they choose to shoot the ammunition, decommission it themselves, or trash it becomes their responsibility. unabletomilk 5 yr. ago. Turn over the ammo to a gun store that accepts it. Local gun ranges will accept unwanted ammunition, and even sometimes accepts dud rounds so as to dispose of them safely and effectively. Please let me know if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember something in the law regarding manufacturing reloaded ammo "with the. Export it to a country that allows it. Yet another option that we recommend for the safe disposal of old ammo is to contact your local gun store. Another option is your local gun store. If your local police station wont accept the ammunition, the next place to check is your city or county hazardous waste drop-off location. Rusted and Corroded Ammo Storage Case - a Sign. 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. Road flares may be disposed of as hazardous waste. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Kinetic pullers are generally safe, but trying to separate bullets with other tools can be dangerous. Police stations will also sometimes accept small amounts of ammunition. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. you consent to receive marketing text messages Ammunition can be surprisingly resilient. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. By far, my favorite way to dispose of ammo is by decommissioning cartridges myself. With our help, you'll be able to quickly get rid of your unwanted ammo so you can stop worrying about it. The lead found in most bullets can leach into the surrounding soil and into the local water supply. However, I recommend you only give ammo to someone knowledgeable about ammunition and firearms. Store in a cool, dry area that is locked or out of reach of children and pets. If they cant take your ammo, they may be able to recommend the best option in your area. Always contact your source for proper guidelines on transporting, packaging or delivering sensitive items for recycling or disposal. Military Munitions Rule Implementation Procedures (MMRIP) Munitions may be buried on a range of burial is part of. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. Search an A-Z list of recycling options for Orange County residents. Brian formerly managed the Earth911 Recycling Search and shared green living tips and tricks on Earth911s Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter accounts. Understand that the procedures involved vary by department and locale, so check your local department's website to see if any specifics are listed and call before you take any action if instructions aren't available online. % of people told us that this article helped them. The oil will get in and destroy the powder . Since firearms last more than a lifetime, families often have small and large collections of guns in their home. However, storing your ammunition properly will extend the life of your cartridges and prevent scenarios that require your ammunition disposal. If it is a small department, they . Many of the disposal suggestions youll find online are actually dangerous, illegal, or both. Learn More! They will often be willing to send an officer to your location to pick it up. Characteristics of "Bad" Ammo. Shooting it is the best way of disposal! Sadly, many of these are questionable at best and outright old wives tales at worst. Both of these things are prime examples of what not to do to safely dispose of old ammo. 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. This new device will make it easier for police departments and other recyclers to collect ammunition and recycle it. This article was co-authored by Bryan Villella and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA. 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. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There were also a couple of boxes of .22's that were older yet (Western brand ammo, made before they became a subsidiary of Winchester). Soil amounts less than 5 cubic yards can go to a landfill. I've fired 1939 ammo and it shoots as well, if not better than the the new lawerized stuff. You never want to gamble with your own safety. Take leftover or unused paint to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Bullets are made of lead which can seep into the soil. A registration and disposal fee is required based on the type and quantity of waste being disposed. Some people will even claim the powder can be used in fertilizer. This is not safe. 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. Your opinion please. We need to learn how to spot the signs of deterioration that could make old ammo unsafe. Evans Gunsmithing Shooters World. What you need to understand is how to read the signs that the ammo has deteriorated and is no longer safe to use. If the box gets damaged, put them in a container with a secure lid. (They may also want us to buy more ammo, but do we really need an excuse to do that?). We will routinely monitor external sites linked from our pages. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Four 20 GA shot shells in the pocket went through the wash. i have a 20ga bt with a rifled slug barrel, so i wont use them anyway. Pull the bullets, dump the powder and either burn the cases, drip oil down into them, or feed them into something to shoot like blanks to get rid of the primers. Simply provide the ammunition to the front desk or range safety officer for disposal. ammunition isn't exposed to high heat or excessive moisture. You can also schedule a household hazardous waste pickup using the Folsom Waste Collection App. Actual total FTF's were less than 1%. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. They might offer to help you safely dispose of old ammo. Appointment Required. Regardless of how you came into the possession of old ammunition, this is a question that you need to know the answer to. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. button batteries, nickel-cadmium) For information on proper disposal of hazardous items not accepted at the HHW Facilities, please contact County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Services at 454-2022. . He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. Put the powder in a flower bed and the other components in the trash. https://www.quora.com/Can-old-bullets-explode. Suffice it to say, you should NOT dispose of ammunition by burying it. When it comes to hand loaded rounds, you can usually tell when something is off. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Recycle batteries with a retailer or take to an OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center. Although many stores indicate all sales are final no federal law prohibits ammunition return. Next, lets discuss why putting unused ammo in the ground is a bad idea. 2. Some of the .22's boxes were 50+ years old (the local stores they were price tagged closed in the late 60's). Let the dispatchers know you have firearms to bring in for destruction. Give them a call at their non-emergency number and let them know you have some unwanted ammunition you want to dispose of. 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. However, you can call your local waste management department to find out what to do with it. If your local hazardous waste facility doesnt work, the next place to check is local gun ranges. These products must be used carefully and disposed of properly. Additionally, some cartridges are beyond salvation and you should be able to identify the difference. Its the bullet itself thats problematic. If the ammunition is unused, its possible to recycle it, but the ability to do so isnt widely available. We can take up to 25 items or small loads that will easily fit into the cargo area of a small SUV or trunk of a car. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Whether a landfill or other type of facility, it's probably not equipped to handle ammunition as a waste product. Another option that we recommend when you are looking to safely dispose of old ammo is to get ahold of your local shooting range. The primer is located on the bottom of the casing, the gunpowder is inside the casing, and the bullet is sticking out the other end of the casing. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Many will accept it in smaller quantities. 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. Dont call 911; call their local number and ask if theyll take ammunition. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. They are not endorsed by SJSU, San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF), the County of San Mateo, or the County of Santa Clara. 7 Smart Ways To Dispose of Old Shotgun Shells 1. When that happens, you can recycle your old shoesthe textile components of your old footwear can be used to make something else, even a new pair of sneakers in some cases. Through an FFL01. What about ammo that has corrosion on the case and where it is in the crease between the bullet and the casing? You want to make sure that you are acting responsibly when you are dealing with any ammunition whether it is new or old. You might also ask about ammo disposal at indoor ranges. However, even though its tempting, tossing any ammunition into the trash is incredibly dangerous. Since ranges likely already have a process for this, it doesn't hurt to ask if they accept ammo from customers for disposal. However, there are restrictions on the mailing of hazardous materials. If you have a large amount of damaged ammo, they might even send someone out to pick it up. The gunpowder inside the bullet is safe to bury. For a list of items, check here. Don't dump it for nothing before checking it out! 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. There are also hazardous waste centers that take bad ammo for safe disposal. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/46\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. To be safe, never use a tool that's not intended for bullets to try this. Surprisingly, there were very few FTF's and the few that did fail, most worked when rotated in the cylinder for a second strike. 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. If you decide to go the police route, there are a couple things to keep in mind. So what are you supposed to do with unwanted ammunition? Make a Trail. Rinse used shell casings and bring them to a metal recycler. Thanks for reading our article! Copyright Ammotogo.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. From May 12 to 30, residents can drop off their recycling, garbage and household items for free or discounted rates at both the new Central Surrey and North Surrey Recycling and Waste Centres. It's one of the main tasks these businesses deal with regularly. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The lead found in many bullets should not be stuck in the ground where it can leach into the local water supply. The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. Under no circumstances should you walk into a police station or sheriff's office openly carrying a weapon. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, whether a round will detonate after a few seconds or a couple minutes depends on a number of factors. There is no reason not to use that old ammo that you have stored, but if it shows any of the signs of degradation that we have covered, then it should not be used. If your firearm eligibility check is approved, when you go to pick up your firearm on (or after) the 10th day, the dealer will have the ability to add an ammunition transaction to the delivery of the firearm. If you have old, compromised, or otherwise unusable ammo you need to get rid of, it's best to stick to the previously mentioned methods of safe ammo disposal. Many people think that just because ammunition is "old" that it isn't any good - it depends on how it was stored! Some people assume if they soak old ammunition in water or oil, this will ruin the gunpowder and it will no longer ignite if the primer is struck. First, a cartridge does not cease working because you decide you no longer want it. Clean-up Fresno County. If it is a small agency, they may not be equipped for ammo disposal. When I took a look at the old ammo, condition was still visibly good. Do not bring firearms or ammunition into the station. Most dumps and landfills also have a building or section of the facility dedicated to hazardous materials. Pool chemicals are accepted at HHWCCs. Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. More ideas make less waste! This is another great option for safely and responsibly getting rid of that old ammo that is no longer safe for use. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This post was originally published on January 16, 2018. I have been told that may not be possible. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Dispose-of-Old-Ammo-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":" \u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. County . Contacting your local law enforcement office or fire department is another way to dispose of unwanted ammunition. Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. The simplest way to explain it is that ammo can become weakened as it ages. Dont bring any ammo into a police department unless they ask you to do so. If you come across a cartridge with a bullet that sits too deep in the case, you probably dont want to shoot it. Northridge, CA 91325 EDCO Recycling & Transfer Center will be closed 04/08/2023. Any ammo that is an original factory make is going to have been made using high-quality, premium materials. So, whether it's setting up and maintaining your EDC bag, laws on concealed carry, or refining your medical kit we tackle the hard questions. The casing is generally made from brass but could also be steel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvLAsyTVC0. If you are not planning on shooting or keeping any of your guns for protection or recreation, selling them would be a great idea. For tips on disposal/recycling of flares, visit here or the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (CDTSC) at (800) 728-6942. You send the unwanted firearm 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. You need to call ahead if you plan on using this option. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The next few guns. The Survival Journal is the premier survival and preparedness newsletter. Link Disclaimer: Information and web links that take the user away from County sponsored web pages to external web sites or non-San Jose State University (SJSU) websites, including pages returned from SJSU or County Web search engines are provided as a courtesy. If they do not offer this service, they can direct you where you can go in your local area to safely dispose of corroded ammo. Additionally, ammunition left in an environment that impacts performance of the primer or powder charge should be disposed of. The lead found in many bullets should not be stuck in the ground where it can leach into the local water supply. With these points made, it is worth looking further into this important topic. In addition, many gun stores have regular customers who spend many hours at the store, and some may reload ammunition. 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. Take the powder you wish to dispose of and pour it in a straight line on your sidewalk. Lead exposure has several adverse health effects, especially for children. First off, I would say include it with the firearm for sale. Seriously, as long as it was kept dry, it should still fire. Growing up the son of a Marine, I was raised to be prepared and adaptable to overcome life's challenges. 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. The water would seep down into the powder and destroy any possibility of it ever being used. I hope this article answered your question on whether or not old ammunition can explode and how to dispose of old ammo. My name is Mike and my goal is to provide you with all types of information for your everyday carry needs. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Make sure you call ahead first. So, if you want to remove a gun from your home today, another option is to surrender it to your local police station. Generally, however, these are actually reused to manufacture new ammunition. When you safely dispose of ammo the right way, you will get the satisfaction of knowing you have acted responsibly as a firearms user. They work with local police agencies and ammunition recycling companies to pick up these old ammunition rounds. Even shipping it (there are some regulations to know about this though) is legal. The process to dispose of brass shells starts by knowing the parts of the material: The projectile Packaging Black powder The groundwork Copious associations - comprising of the military, gun stores, and ammunition manufacturers - face the issue of how to handle undesirable or expired ammunition. However, if you dont feel safe shooting old rounds, even if there are no signs of corrosion, dont do it. Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. First, don't bury ammunition as a way to dispose of it. According to SAAMI, these sources can provide you the means to dispose of ammunition in compliance with local, state, and federal law. I buy a lot of old cartridges and I recycle the components that I can. Bring Ammo To The Range For Disposal Dont dump the live cartridges onto the lanes. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. 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.