Buying, selling and storing primers

Primers, also known as percussion caps, are small metal casings located at the base of ammunition. They are filled with explosives used to ignite propellant mixtures contained in the ammunition. (Percussion caps are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type C.3).

The following guidance is for anyone involved with primers. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations.

Buying primers

You are permitted to buy primers (percussion caps) if you are 18 or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Regulations.

Storing primers

Storage requirements for users

Primers (percussion caps) must be stored in their original packaging.

You must store the primers in a dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage) or a storage unit.

Primers and propellant powders must be stored in separate magazines.

Dwelling

You are permitted to store primers (percussion caps) you in a dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage).

You must store the primers away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. You must ensure that they can only be accessed by people you have authorized.

Storage unit

You are permitted to store primers (percussion caps) in a storage unit.

• The storage unit must be located away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
• the interior of the storage unit must be kept clean and dry;
• the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
• the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
• if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
• if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
• any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
• if small arms cartridges, blank cartridges for tools, unmixed reactive targets or black powder cartouches are stored with propellant powder or percussion caps in the storage unit, they must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
• precautions that minimize the likelihood of an ignition or fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
• a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 cm high and that prohibits smoking using letters, or a symbol, at least 10 cm high must be posted on the storage unit in a clearly visible location.

Storage requirements for sellers

If you do not hold a licence, the primers (percussion caps) must be stored in a sales establishment (shop or store). A distributor must have an explosives licence.

If you hold an explosives licence, the primers (percussion caps) must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence.

Primers and propellant powder must be stored in separate magazines.

Dwelling

You are permitted to store primers (percussion caps) you intend to sell in a dwelling.

When stored in a dwelling, primers must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. You must ensure that they can only be accessed by people you have authorized.

Storage unit

If you do not hold a licence, you are permitted to store primers (percussion caps) you intend to sell in a storage unit.

• The storage unit must be located away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
• the interior of the storage unit must be kept clean and dry;
• the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
• the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
• if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
• if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
• any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
• if small arms cartridges, blank cartridges for tools, unmixed reactive targets or black powder cartouches are stored with propellant powder or percussion caps in the storage unit, they must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
• precautions that minimize the likelihood of an ignition or fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
• a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 cm high and that prohibits smoking using letters, or a symbol, at least 10 cm high must be posted on the storage unit in a clearly visible location.

Selling primers

As a retailer, you are permitted to buy, sell and store primers (percussion caps) without an explosives licence.

As a distributor, you must have an explosives licence to sell primers to other distributors or retailers. You can apply for an explosives licence through the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS).

Displaying for sale

You are permitted to display up to 10,000 primers (percussion caps) for sale. They must be in their original packaging.

When the store is open, primers displayed for sale must be kept behind a sales counter or locked up (for example, in a cabinet).

Only people you have authorized must have access to the area behind the sale counter.

If you hold an explosives licence, primers not displayed for sale must be stored in a magazine specified in your licence.

More information

Consult the following guidelines on safely storing primers (percussion caps) with a licence:

• G06-01: Non-industrial storage guidelines, 2015 (PDF, 311 kB)
• G06-05: Guideline for determining the storage compatibility of explosives (Type C.3) (PDF, 196 kB)

Contact us

Explosives Regulatory Division
National Headquarters
588 Booth Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON  K1A 0Y7
Tel.: 1-855-912-0012
Email: ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca