Zxthinger wrote: »

So where are ye getting these licences from! And whats allowed under them?

Department of justice, and reloading.

And can you explain how component parts of ammunition are not allowed under the law?

The cases and bullets are covered under our firearms licenses, but the primer and propellant is covered under the explosives act, and requires a separate license which, as said above, can be gotten from the DoJ.

Zxthinger wrote: »

how are licences issued for an activity that requires no licence?

Perhaps i mis-spoke. The license is not for reloading, but to own, buy and possess the propellant and primers. Until a few years ago lads were getting this authorisation. I don;t know of anyone still getting it as an individual though.

Where is the legislation that sets this requirement in place?

In the Explosive Act and Firearms Acts. You're more than welcome to go digging for as i have neither the patience or heart for it.

Also are you actually issued a licence paper or plastic or is it a group thing and have you actually seen this doc?

As said above i have never sought, nor been granted an individual authorisation that relates to reloading. I do mine under the group scheme in the Midlands for the target shooting. I know of two lads that had them. Never seen any license, if that is how they are authorrised. Perhaps someone that received this might be better able to explain the exact details.

In relation to the 1875 explosives act and as far as I know there exists an exemption for the retention of a small amount of explosives for sporting usage! Now as far as I know this legislation has not be superseded by any re-write and it's something that I'll explore a little further but if you have looked at this then your opinion would be appreciated.

You could very well be right.

All i know is this. The pilot scheme that began at the midlands is now a full scheme. I see some refer to it as a pilot scheme still, but after nearly 5 years i think we can remove the word pilot. When the scheme was introduced we (all the shooters involved) were given a list of rules that the DoJ laid out in order for us. This included no reloading at home, no individual possession of propellant/primers at home, bullets and brass were fine, etc, etc.

Since the "shake up" of reloading i don't know of anyone that has been granted a license, authorisation, permission (written or verbal) to reload at home and have in their possession the component parts including propellant and primers. None of that makes reloading illegal as an act, just illegal without a license. Same as owning a gun. Not illegal to have one so long as you are licensed.


I'll finish on this. Grizzly45 done some hard work on finding details and what would be involved in getting reloading as an individual. He gathered that it could be done as an individual, just the cost may be prohibitive. Whether there is some ancient loophole that allows for the storage of propellant, allows reloading without a license, etc. i'm sure that would be much different in theory than practice. IOW the DoJ & An Gardaí may make life difficult for you and could even try and bring charges under section 30 (Offences against the state as opposed to section 12, firearms offence).


As someone that reloads in the Midlands i'd love to have it at home. I'd also like to see others have it too, but i don't run it, don't control it, and newsflash for everyone else, neither does the Midlands. The DoJ run it, control it, monitor it, and regulate it. I have wasted a lot off my time trying to explain things, and "excuse" the Midlands for us having reloading. I don't do that anymore. People that think what they do will continue to do so regardless of what i say so i don't try anymore.


If you believe you can do it then by all means go for it. I don't claim to, nor have any interest in, policing real world events. In fact if you try and are successful then i encourage you to let us, and me, know the process you used and how you get on. Genuinely. Not being facetious.