I got my license - now what?

[Chad101]

I cannot find the post now but I believe someone said that you should make extra copies of your license and keep the original (unsigned) in a safe place.

That way if you lose the signed copy, you can make another.

Thoughts?

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Make several copies and keep the original in a safe place.
Sign copies in blue ink & keep one in your vehicle.
The small "tear off" card on the bottom left corner of the page--cut it out & keep it in your wallet.
Send signed copies to the vendors that you plan on purchasing 1.3g product from for their files.
Welcome to "Club 54".

[Arclight]

I made up a little book with my license, a copy of my state's transport laws (print out from the website) and the other permits/etc. that I have. I keep this in my vehicle and made another one for my helper.

[displayfireworks1]

Get a copy to the distributor, you can do that via fax or email. However, most are still going to want to see a hard copy when you make your first purchase. Always have a copy in the vehicle. Someone I know in the fireworks and high explosive business had some items in his vehicle and got pulled over. Once some of it was discovered , he said about 10 different agency vehicles showed up at the traffic stop. He pulled out all of his different ATF license and slowly one by one all 10 of the vehicles drove off. Then so did he. I tell ATF licensed enthusiast, if you are ever going to experience trouble, it will be on the road.

[Arclight]

And if you have all of your paperwork in hand (especially the law about being exempt from DOT), you're much more likely to get out of there before the "Commercial Enforcement Specialist" from the Highway Patrol comes and finds something unrelated to cite you for.

Agree that driving is where you will get hassled. If you are actually setting something off and someone takes issue with it, you can always say you were "safely disposing of excess/expired product."

[specialfxpyro]

Checking with your local AHJ on permitting and insurance requirements should be the first step in the process. Like before you even bother to apply for a type 54 users permit.

I know of at least 1 state where it's a complete waste of time for a hobbyist to get a type 54 users permit, because no AHJ will give you a permit and 99% of local officials will never approve a magazine within there jurisdiction.

[Arclight]

Checking with your local AHJ on permitting and insurance requirements should be the first step in the process. Like before you even bother to apply for a type 54 users permit.

I know of at least 1 state where it's a complete waste of time for a hobbyist to get a type 54 users permit, because no AHJ will give you a permit and 99% of local officials will never approve a magazine within there jurisdiction.

I think that is true in most urban areas. But if it's at a county/local level, you may be able to set up shop at someone's farm or other location outside city limits.

[specialfxpyro]

I think that is true in most urban areas. But if it's at a county/local level, you may be able to set up shop at someone's farm or other location outside city limits.

A member here from the state I'm referring to attempted to get a magazine on a 400 acre farm in a rural area. It's not a rural vs urban issue.

There is a false belief that all you need is a type 54 users permit to possess and shoot 1.3 fireworks in your home state. Similar to misnomer I see tossed around that a type 54 users permit is a license. It's not a license it's a users permit. There is a type 54 license that is required if you are an importer or manufacturer.

While the reality is you need permission from the AHJ and fire marshal at minimum, in any jurisdiction you plan to use or store explosives if you want to be legal.