Earth911 is a universal resource that helps you find your own shade of green. First, youll need to get your hands on a kinetic puller. 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 . Some auto retail centers and disposal facilities can recycle tires. One thing that you should never do is to bury old ammo. Hazardous materials dumped on the ground or into the gutter can contaminate soil and the underground water supply. EverydayCarryConcealed.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Find a disposal location so problem items can be processed safely. In most cases, old ammo is safe, but it is also more likely to be a problem than new ammo. Thanks for reading our article! Since ranges likely already have a process for this, it doesn't hurt to ask if they accept ammo from customers for disposal. When youre selling or giving away an item, always meet the person in public to make the exchange safer. If you're using a storage tray, pout the flares in a compartment separate from other items. Some departments will come to your home to take possession of the unwanted ammo. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. 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. When that ammunition gets dumped into the back of a garbage truck and the compactor runs, it could cause the cartridge to fire, sending the bullet in a potentially dangerous direction. We've got several options for disposing your cartridges, whether they're corroded, a dud, or just no longer useful to you. I would like to know why the OP thought it was illegal to sell ammo. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. E-bike batteries can be disposed of at OC's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. Using, Storing, and Disposing Of Old, Good, or Bad Ammo The simplest way to explain it is that ammo can become weakened as it ages. Your advise is greatly appreciated. Recycling Dud (unable to fire) ammunition is usually a prime target for recycling. First you should determine if those old rounds really pose a hazard. Many gun ranges will take unwanted rounds off your hands. Always contact your source for proper guidelines on transporting, packaging or delivering sensitive items for recycling or disposal. Recycle Stuff has the solutions to your recycling needs. Since the smokeless powder isn't explosive, it will slowly burn down the trail you have created. 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. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro. 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. you consent to receive marketing text messages What to Do With Old Shoes. Nike CA 1. However, I recommend you only give ammo to someone knowledgeable about ammunition and firearms. The point that we are trying to reinforce here is that you can use that old ammo that you have had for years or have come into. I hope what I share with you helps. Aug 9, 2017. If you dont reload, now might be a good time to consider it as a new hobby. Manage unusable assembled ammunition as a hazardous waste. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We'll even tell you what not to do with it so you can be as safe as possible. Any ammo that is an original factory make is going to have been made using high-quality, premium materials. The idea is to ruin the powder and primer, supposedly rendering the cartridge harmless. It's more important than ever. Don't dump it for nothing before checking it out! Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. 5. A quick Google search will turn up tons of recommendations for disposing of bad ammunition. ammunition isn't exposed to high heat or excessive moisture. 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. Recommendations for EPA Regional Offices on Preliminary Assessments and Site Inspections for the Department of Defense Military Munitions Response Program (OSWER Directive 9200.3-60) - April 5, 2010. You should never under any circumstances fire any ammunition that has green corrosion present on its casing. Your email address will not be published. You're right about storage conditions and shelf life. This is called a bullet setback. While relatively rare, these imperfections can be seriously dangerous. Seriously, as long as it was kept dry, it should still fire. Disposal of Unwanted Firearms and Ammunition | Police They work with local police agencies and ammunition recycling companies to pick up these old ammunition rounds. Perhaps youve got unusable ammo laying around that you want to dispose of or recycle. Three Best Ways to Dispose of Scrap Brass Shells - Interco Usually, only those in close proximity to the cartridge when it detonates are at risk of injury. Whether a landfill or other type of facility, it's probably not equipped to handle ammunition as a waste product. How to Dispose of Gunpowder Safely - How to Dispose wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. First, a cartridge does not cease working because you decide you no longer want it. I believe in Americans learning self-defense and safety skills so they can defend themselves and their families. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAvLAsyTVC0. Make sure you call ahead first. I have taken old useless ammo in to be broken down and destroyed, but I always offer some type of compensation in good faith. (In a safe, bedroom, garage, etc.) While its not illegal to throw away bullets in most areas, you still shouldnt do it because its so dangerous. Proper discarding of old, damaged, or dangerous rounds is just one more way for us to be good representatives of the shooting sports. 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. While this may not work if you have a large number of corroded rounds, if you just have a few, they may be willing to accept them. Need to get rid of it but not sure where it goes? Hazardous waste centers do not generally accept bad ammo as a regular thing, but many of them do offer occasional drop-off services where they will collect and dispose of the ammo for you in a safe manner. Message and data rates may apply. How do you dispose of live primers? | Sniper's Hide Forum California Gun Disposal & Transfer FAQ: Firearm Transport & Storage No but he can give it away. However, storing your ammunition properly will extend the life of your cartridges and prevent scenarios that require your ammunition disposal. Appointment Required. 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. There are multiple ways to dispose of your cartridges responsibly that protect the environment and prevent problems with law enforcement. Both of these things are prime examples of what not to do to safely dispose of old ammo. These products must be used carefully and disposed of properly. legally you can take it to your local police station. Corroded Casing and Bullet from Water Damage. If they do, we have a few safe and legal options for ditching those rounds you just dont want to risk shooting. How to Dispose of Ammunition - Vedder Holsters There are also some other key signs that you need to watch out for if you want to avoid dangerous issues with old ammo. 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. The method you choose is up to you, and the best way is the one that suits your needs and comfort level. We have a for sell section so you might want to think about using calguns.There are plenty of folks here in California that will enjoy your guns. This is something that most gun ranges already do. Its the bullet itself thats problematic. How to Safely Dispose of or Recycle Old or Unwanted Ammo - WikiHow Put them in their original cardboard box. For those of you who say "sell it here".aren't private party sales of ammunition illegal? First, you need to answer the question of whether the ammunition is bad or needs to be disposed of to begin with. A driver loss control enrolled and ammo truck into a ditch. This new device will make it easier for police departments and other recyclers to collect ammunition and recycle it. How To Concealed Carry For The Most States. I would like to safely dispose. Can You Shoot A New Gun Straight Out Of The Box. Pool chemicals are accepted at HHWCCs. #9. Corrosion is an indication that moisture has contaminated the round. (707) 259-8608 or 1-800-984-9661 Friday & Saturday 9am - 4pm Households: No appointment required, drop-off free of charge. Regardless of which of these methods that you choose for the disposal of your old, corroded ammo, the most important thing is that you are disposing of it in a safe and approved manner. He prioritizes safety and building comfortable environments for people to learn skills safely. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How to Safely Recycle Unwanted or Unusable Ammunition First, don't bury ammunition as a way to dispose of it. Contact Local Law Enforcement. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If a round doesnt look right, dont risk firing it. Call the non-emergency number of the police to let them know you need to dispose of ammunition. A few years back my Grandfather passed and I was bequeathed his firearms and ammo (Mostly shotshells and .22 LR). Locals told The New Indian Express newspaper that earlier, when huts in the area were made of bamboo and grass, the elephant caused little damage when he came foraging for food. You might also ask about ammo disposal at indoor ranges. It is important to know the seven signs of "bad" ammo: Bent bullet or bent case. The brass casing is recyclable, so after a round has been fired at the range, this portion can be recycled. What to do with old ammo? Where do you dispose of it legally 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. Recycling (such as promotion codes and cart reminders) from AMD at the number provided, However, even though its tempting, tossing any ammunition into the trash is incredibly dangerous. If you dont mind traveling to another city, check the counties around you to see if theyre hosting a hazardous waste collection event soon. 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 primary danger associated with ammunition is accidental discharge. If you have a large amount of damaged ammo, they might even send someone out to pick it up. 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. . However, if you have a ton, you may want to ask before stacking it up on their dud bin. We need to learn how to spot the signs of deterioration that could make old ammo unsafe. As a firearms facility, gun stores handle a lot of ammunition. By far, my favorite way to dispose of ammo is by decommissioning cartridges myself. Clean-up Fresno County. Bryan Villella is the Lead Firearms Instructor and Owner of Don't Be A Sitting Duck in Kissimmee, Florida. Most shooting ranges will have containers for bad rounds of ammunition. I'm Joe. NO Compressed . Using corroded and degraded ammo is simply not a smart move and could end up leading to dangerous problems. 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. These inexpensive tools effortlessly disassemble a cartridge. Whether it's old, damaged, or ammo you no longer trust for another reason, you may find yourself in need of a way to dispose of it. Never bury ammo because the metal is hazardous. Find a Location to Recycle or Dispose of Safely. Additionally, make sure they are legally allowed to possess ammunition. The SJSU Center for Development of Recycling works in association with the counties of Santa Clara and San Mateo - Terms of Use. Check here for propane tanks accepted at OC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. How to Dispose of Road Flares - How to Dispose How To Find Ammo (& Reloading Supplies) During Shortage. We will routinely monitor external sites linked from our pages. Call the Non-Emergency Number (408) 299-2311. 2. Usually defects or structural compromises of a cartridge render it unserviceable. How do I (legally obviously) sell excess ammo in California? 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. Manufactured Round with No Primer. What Is the Most Common Ammunition in the U.S.? Household Hazardous Waste(HHW) - Santa Cruz County, California Local gun ranges will sometimes collect dud rounds or unused ammunition and dispose of them properly. Private party ammunition sales are completely legal. I hope this article answered your question on whether or not old ammunition can explode and how to dispose of old ammo. If you are going to use old ammo, you simply need to use caution and common sense. 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. The firing ranges will usually take them and dispose of them. Usually, I can re-use the case even if the powder or other parts of the cartridge are compromised. Most ammunition is fairly inexpensive, and there's no point in risking injury to shoot some ammo "just in case" it's still good. According to takethegun.com the window for returning ammo to the seller varies between 0 and 60 days. 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.