Percussion Caps

Percussion Caps, also known as primers, are small metal casings located at the base of small arms cartridges that are filled with impact sensitive explosives used to ignite propellant mixtures contained in ammunition. (Type C.3)

Acquisition

The acquisition, storage and sale of propellants and ammunition require a dwelling, a storage unit or an explosives licence depending on the quantity and type of explosives being handled. Any person handling explosives must be at least 18 years of age or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Act and Regulations.

Storage for Use

Dwelling

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for use in a dwelling.

When propellant powders, percussion caps or black power cartouches are stored in a dwelling:

1. they must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. People not authorized by the user must not be given unlimited access to the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches.

Storage Unit

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for use in a storage unit.

When propellant powders, percussion caps or black powder cartouches are stored in a storage unit:

1. the storage unit must be located in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
2. the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
3. if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
4. if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
5. any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
6. nothing other than small arms cartridges may be stored with the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches;
7. propellant powder, percussion caps, small arms cartridges and black powder cartouches must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
8. the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
9. the storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit;
10. any spill, leakage or other contamination in the storage unit must be cleaned up immediately;
11. precautions that minimize the likelihood of fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
12. 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.

Explosives Licence

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for use in a magazine if they hold an explosives licence.

Storage for Sale

Dwelling

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for sale in a dwelling.

When propellant powders, percussion caps or black power cartouches are stored in a dwelling:

1. they must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. People not authorized by the user must not be given unlimited access to the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches.

Display for Sale

Propellant Powders and Percussion Caps displayed for sale must meet the following:

1. No more than 12 kg of propellant powder, of which no more than 500 g may be black powder, may be displayed for sale.
2. Propellant powder that is displayed for sale must be in a container that holds no more than 500 g.
3. No more than 10 000 percussion caps may be displayed for sale.
4. Percussion caps that are displayed for sale must be in their original packaging.
5. Propellant powder and percussion caps that are displayed for sale must be kept behind a counter or locked up (for example, in a cabinet).
6. Only people authorized by the retailer may have access to the area behind a sales counter.

Storage Unit

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for sale in a storage unit.

When propellant powders, percussion caps or black powder cartouches are stored in a storage unit:

1. the storage unit must be located in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
2. the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
3. if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
4. if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
5. any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
6. nothing other than small arms cartridges may be stored with the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches;
7. propellant powder, percussion caps, small arms cartridges and black powder cartouches must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
8. the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
9. the storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit;
10. any spill, leakage or other contamination in the storage unit must be cleaned up immediately;
11. precautions that minimize the likelihood of fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
12. 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.

Explosives Licence

A person may acquire and store percussion caps for sale in a magazine if they hold an explosives licence.