Shotgun Brass from Rifle-Brass and primers....

[S_Bluck]

Hi All.
first of all Hello, I am new to this forum. I am a keen shooter and reload 12ga shotgun ammo
and also make my own .410 brass cases from rifle brass by fire-forming. I have recently sent an e-mail
to my firearms liason chap in Maidstone Kent asking him how the VCR-Acts etc.. effect the availability
of primers to me..

The act seems to require a rifle/pistol other than a rimfire or shotgun to be able to purchace primers
for metallic cases. Shotgun primers seem to be exempt from this requirement.

It seems to be an offence to attempt to buy the primers.

As I use various rifle brass for my .410 I tend to use pistol primers and it seems I will not be able to
get any more once I run out. Anyone else come across this or had a problem with it.

Cheers....

[223AI]

I believe, and this is only from memory of a similar thread, you shoud be able to buy appropriate primers when you produce your SGC as the VCR just requires a suitable calibre for the primers you are purchasing, shotgun classed as such.

But this is just what I have read and you'd be best checking with your FEO etc.

[zanes]

I believe, and this is only from memory of a similar thread, you shoud be able to buy appropriate primers when you produce your SGC as the VCR just requires a suitable calibre for the primers you are purchasing, shotgun classed as such.

But this is just what I have read and you'd be best checking with your FEO etc.

That was what my memory told me- not a million miles away from the situation whereby some calibres (7.62x39 for instance IIRC) can use different primer types depending on manufacturer.

[DesG]

This is the guidance issued by the home office. Basically it says you can't but primers without due reason, but you can buy shotgun primers and caps for muzzle loaders. If you need them for loading a legally held shotgun then you have due reason.

5.16 The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 introduced controls on the purchase and sale of
cap-type primers designed for use in metallic ammunition for a firearm, including empty
cartridge cases incorporating such a primer. Section 35 of the 2006 Act makes it an
offence to sell these items unless the purchaser:
a) is a registered dealer;
b) sells by way of any trade or business either primers or empty cartridge cases
incorporating primers;
c) produces a certificate (i.e. the original, not a photocopy) authorising them to possess a
firearm of a relevant kind (i.e. a firearm other than a shotgun, an air weapon or a firearm
chambered for rim-fire ammunition) or ammunition for such a firearm;
d) is a duly authorised Crown servant;
e) shows that they are entitled in law to possess a firearm or ammunition of a relevant kind
without a certificate;
f) produces a certificate (the original, not a photocopy) authorising another person to
possess such a firearm, or such ammunition, together with that other person’s authority
to purchase primers on their behalf; or
g) shows that they are authorised by regulations to purchase primers. To date no such
regulations have been made.
Section 35 also makes it an offence to buy, or attempt to buy, primers unless the
purchaser meets the same criteria.
The definitions used in section 35 mean that the offences do not apply to the purchase or
sale of blank ammunition, shotgun primers or to percussion caps for muzzle-loading firearms.

The dealer is required to satisfy himself that you are a person entitled to the primers. They do not need to entered onto your certificate as do live rounds.

[25Pdr]

My Dealer said It is not against the Law to give Primers away.

He can give you Primers free and charge you say, £35 or so for car parking etc.

[zanes]

My Dealer said It is not against the Law to give Primers away.

He can give you Primers free and charge you say, £35 or so for car parking etc.

I suspect that would go down well with his licensing authority.

[S_Bluck]

This is the guidance issued by the home office. Basically it says you can't but primers without due reason, but you can buy shotgun primers and caps for muzzle loaders. If you need them for loading a legally held shotgun then you have due reason.

5.16 The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 introduced controls on the purchase and sale of
cap-type primers designed for use in metallic ammunition for a firearm, including empty
cartridge cases incorporating such a primer. Section 35 of the 2006 Act makes it an
offence to sell these items unless the purchaser:
a) is a registered dealer;
b) sells by way of any trade or business either primers or empty cartridge cases
incorporating primers;
c) produces a certificate (i.e. the original, not a photocopy) authorising them to possess a
firearm of a relevant kind (i.e. a firearm other than a shotgun, an air weapon or a firearm
chambered for rim-fire ammunition) or ammunition for such a firearm;
d) is a duly authorised Crown servant;
e) shows that they are entitled in law to possess a firearm or ammunition of a relevant kind
without a certificate;
f) produces a certificate (the original, not a photocopy) authorising another person to
possess such a firearm, or such ammunition, together with that other person’s authority
to purchase primers on their behalf; or
g) shows that they are authorised by regulations to purchase primers. To date no such
regulations have been made.
Section 35 also makes it an offence to buy, or attempt to buy, primers unless the
purchaser meets the same criteria.
The definitions used in section 35 mean that the offences do not apply to the purchase or
sale of blank ammunition, shotgun primers or to percussion caps for muzzle-loading firearms.

The dealer is required to satisfy himself that you are a person entitled to the primers. They do not need to entered onto your certificate as do live rounds.

Hi DesG....
Yes, this is the section that concerns me.

a and b do not apply as I am not a dealer / seller.

c, I have rimfires and shotguns. but this does not allow me to buy primers for normal
rifle / pistol brass.

d through to g do not apply to me.

So if I pop into my local shop and ask for primers for my fire-formed brass .410 am I
commiting a crime, as Section 35 also makes it an offence to buy, or attempt to buy primers

[S_Bluck]

That was what my memory told me- not a million miles away from the situation whereby some calibres (7.62x39 for instance IIRC) can use different primer types depending on manufacturer.

The act aso now says ( as of the 2014 Home-Office guidance notes) that a shotgun cert or a
FA cert for rimfires does not allow someone to buy primers for metallic cartridges. Only shotgun
primers. and old percussion cap-type primers.