I want to make my own fireworks.

[CaptainDD]

Well hello everyone!!!!

Just the other day I watched quite a few videos, of people making thier own fireworks, And some very:cool: AWESOME fireworks!!! I would love to be able to make my own shells and rockets....... So what now? Do I need to get a license? or does it depend on my state laws? and\or the size of firework that i plan to make? I was hoping to build the 2" and 3" shells and rockets.
Any and All help will be greatly appreciated...I just need to be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks CaptDD.

[fatcat]

Welcome to the site Capt DD. Strictly a 1.4 guy here but i am sure there are some pyros on this site that can point you in the right direction. If all else fails, call your local ATF agent. He/She can point you in the right direction as far as getting the info you want. I believe you are going to have to deal with the ATF if you want to manufacture fireworks, so you might as well start with them. Just my .02. Once again welcome to the site

[tarkus4]

Your best bet is to find a pyro club near you and talk to them.

[displayfireworks1]

No need to call the ATF. You do not need a license to make fireworks for your own use. It is what you do with them once you make them that you need educated on. Please visit one of my advertisers Skylighter. Somewhere on his website he addresses the issue of the hobbyist making fireworks.
http://www.skylighter.com/

[indianahx]

I would also like to add this......it is a "blog" written by Ned Gorski--a grand master of the PGI. It was actually published by skylighter and harry gilliam. I found that it had some great information pertaining to the subject. It was written in 2009 and goes by the Orange book (which to those who know, havent been updated since 2007) so it should still be valid, although I would still check. the link is here:

http://blog.skylighter.com/fireworks/2009/06/fireworking-safety-and-law.html

I'd like to post one of the more pertinent paragraphs that Ned wrote, pertaining to the neccesity of a "license"............

"Fortunately, US Federal law is pretty straightforward and simple when it comes to hobbyist fireworking.

Once again, from the ATF Orange Book:

Page 64, Paragraph 37. “When is a manufacturer’s license required?”

“Persons who manufacture explosives for their personal, non-business use are not required to have a manufacturer’s license. However, no person may ship, transport, cause to be transported, or receive explosive materials unless such person holds a license or permit.”

Page 68, Paragraph 72. “Who must comply with the storage requirements?”

“…all persons who store explosive materials must store them in conformity with the provisions of Subpart K of the regulations…”

Pages 47-53, Subpart K – Storage

This section details storage which is in conformity with the regulations and which will satisfy the BATFE’s requirements.

Because no license is required by the BATFE, this storage might never be known about by them or inspected by them. But if a person is caught storing explosives without such compliant storage, the BATFE then has the right to prosecute that person. And, typically, they do.

These are the cases you hear about in the news if the Feds are prosecuting somebody: they were storing explosives illegally, or they caught the person transporting explosives without a license or permit.

This is another important point. While a person can make explosives for their own personal use, provided that they store them in a compliant manner, they may not transport them legally unless they have an ATF license or permit. And, that’s even across town to the test-shooting site. When traveling to PGI (Pyrotechnics Guild International) or local-club events, often transportation-coverage for members is supplied through the club license and/or permit.

But, man, if you decide to transport your homemade fireworks without a license or permit, and you get stopped and searched for whatever reason, or if you have an accident and the explosives are involved in some destruction, God Help You, because the law won’t.

By the way, the US DOT (Department of Transportation) only regulates “in-commerce” transportation, and does not concern itself with the above mentioned regulations concerning the BATFE’s requirements to only transport explosives under a license or permit. At least, that’s the philosophy they appear to have been operating under so far.

Note: It’s useful to mention that all of this is my best understanding of the current situation under the law. Things can change, and the laws are always up for re-evaluation. I am not a lawyer, just a hobbyist trying to be as informed as possible about the multitude of laws surrounding us, and the numerous “alphabet soup” agencies charged with enforcing those laws. If in doubt, consult an attorney. But remember that unless they are fireworks or explosives specialists, often they can only offer their “best opinion” for you. Quite often the law is simply not all that clear, and is left to the individual “authority on site” to render a personal interpretation of it."


----end of blog quote----


I really like that Ned physically QUOTES a page/reference right out of the Orange book. "Page 64, paragraph 37".

In a nut shell, no, you dont need a license to make them.

But you DO need a license to store/transport/ect.

If you read the article, he mentions the fact that you can show up to an event, make fireworks, fire them off........no problem. But if you want to make them at your house or farm or private property, you'll need a place to store them, unless you fire them off at that time. Or, if you make them at your property and want to take them somewhere--lets say a club shoot, or PGI like he explains--then you'll need the proper licensing.

He goes on to explain that for what it's worth, to him, it was beneficial to get the type 20 manufacturing liecense and avoid all of the hoops and possible problems of not having it available.

I thought it was a very good article with sound advice from a very knowledgeable "PRO" who has been around for quite some time perfecting his art. I dont even want to manufacture and I thought it was a good read.

Best wishes for anyone wanting to manufacture, and be safe.

[Northern Sky]

Good post indi. Thanks for sharing this.