STORAGE OF NITROCELLULOSE PROPELLANTS FOR PURPOSES OF RELOADING
The Explosives Act, 1969 (Act 26 of 1956) was replaced by the Explosives Act, 3000 (Act 15 of 2003). BUT up to June 2022 SAPS have not yet issued Regulations for all sections of Act 15/2003 to be implemented. Thus the stipulations of the Regulations of Act 26/1956 is still operative (especially in respect of possession of propellant for private reloading)
1. In terms of the Regulations of the Explosives Act, 1956, Act 26 of 1956 (as amended), and as published in Government Notice R1604 (dated 1985-10-25), the following is stipulated in Regulation 8.23.1 and 8.23.2 re propellant a firearm licence holder may have in his/her possession for purposes of reloading of own ammunition:
2. Regulation 8.23.1 states: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these regulations, persons who are in possession of one or more valid firearm licences issued in terms of the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1969 (Act 75 of 1969)*, may in respect of each such licence keep on their premises 600 grams of nitrocellulose propellants for the private reloading of cartridges of small arms only and not for sale or other trade: Provided that the total amount of nitrocellulose propellants so kept shall not at any time exceed 2 400 grams (2,4 kg) in mass.
3. Regulation 8.23.2 states: The nitrocellulose propellants shall be kept locked up in a sturdy cupboard.
The FCA does not say anything on possession of propellant. It does, however, in section 93, state as follows on possession primers:
(1) Section 45(1) does not apply to the loading of ammunition by the holder of a licence to possess a firearm for use in his or her licensed firearm (section 45 refers to manufacture of ammunition for business purposes).
(2)
(a) A holder of a licence contemplated in subsection (1) may not have more than 2 400 primers in his or her possession for each firearm in respect of which he or she holds a licence (section 13 & 15 licensed firearms).
(b) The limitation in paragraph (a) does not apply to a dedicated hunter, dedicated sports person or professional hunter who holds a licence issued in terms of this Act or any other holder of a licence issued in terms of this Act authorised by the Registrar to possess more than 2 400 primers for a firearm in respect of which he or she holds a licence on good cause shown (section 16 licensed firearms).
Download the Explosives Act (Act 15 of 2003)
Download Regulations for Arms & Ammunition Act (1972)
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