Shooting and historical re-enactment

Explosives legislation covers explosives articles and substances that are used in sporting and leisure activities - primarily in competition shooting and also in the use of firearms (including cannons) at re-enactments of historic battles:

Getting an RCA document

The Regulations that require an RCA document apply to the following explosives used in shooting and historical re-enactment:

• gunpowder (U.N no. 0027) - if carried by the user from its place of keeping to a range; and
• other components of small arms ammunition intended for resale.

They do not apply to gunpowder if it is used to load small arms ammunition at home, or to other components of small arms ammunition which are intended for private use.

When being transferred ALL explosives covered by the Regulations must be accompanied by a document known as a Recipient Competent Authority document (RCA). These documents are issued by the Health and Safety Executive's Explosives Policy Team.

Storing explosives

You can store a limited quantity of certain explosives without a registration or licence. For the types of explosives used by shooters and reenactors the maximum quantities of explosives that can be stored without a licence or registration are:

• 15kg of percussion caps and/or small arms ammunition;
• 10kg of gunpowder (black powder, UN number 0027), and
• a further 5kg of any one or more of the following:
• gunpowder,
• smokeless powder
• any explosive listed on Schedule 1 of the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991. This includes the articles listed in the table below.

  Explosives	U.N no.
  Cartridges, small arms	0012
  Cartridges, small arms	0328
  Cartridges, small arms	0339
  Cartridges, small arms,blank	0014
  Cartridges, small arms, blank	0327
  Cartridges, small arms, blank	0338
  Cases, cartridges, empty, with primer	0055
  Cases, cartridges, empty, with primer	0379
  Primers, cap type	0044
  Primers, cap type	0377
  Primers, cap type	0378

Guidance on shooters powders

HSE has recently written to police forces with guidance on the approach to issues raised by the introduction of the new regulations on manufacture and storage. Copies of the letter are available to download here:

• Guidance on shooters powders [PDF 67kb]

Other controls on ammunition

The maximum quantities of small arms ammunition that can be purchased at one time, and held, are regulated by firearms legislation. For further information, contact:

Home Office
Operational Police Policy Unit (OPPU)
Queen Anne’s Gate
LONDON SW1H 9AT
Tel: 020 7273 2343
Fax: 020 7273 2703

Guidance on use of explosives at historical re-enactments

Guidance to reenactment societies on good practice in acquiring and controlling the use of explosives is available from HSE's Explosives Inspectorate (see 'Contacts').

Carriage of explosives in vehicles used to carry passengers for hire or reward

Only certain explosives can be carried on public transport or in taxis. These include a total of no more than 2kg of gunpowder (or smokeless powder) + any one or more of the following:

• Cartridges, small arms
• Cartridges, small arms, blank
• Cases, cartridges, empty, with primer
• Primers, cap type

The explosives have to be properly packed and kept at all times with the person carrying them - who must take all reasonable precautions to prevent accidents arising from the explosives.

Further information

Please contact you local police Explosives Liaison Officer (see 'Contacts').

The Shooting Sports Trust Ltd has published guidance on the carriage of ammunition for sporting purposes, 'Regulations concerning the carriage of small arms cartridges'. This is available from:

Shooting Sports Trust Ltd
PO Box 43
Tewkesbury
Glos. GL20 5ZE
Tel: 01684 291865
Fax: 01684 291864