From what I found out from local dealers, it is theinsurance companies. They have gone and insome cases have doubled the premium and many stores are saying it too expensive. What a shame. At this rate, we will be at a loss for blackpowder.
As I understand it, the post 911 Federal regulations on "explosives" (which includes black powder butnot include smokeless powder orsubs) require additional annual costs by a retailer and prohibit them from placing it on the shelf with other powders. It must be stored in a special powder magazine. Just too expensive for small shops to deal with, and nothing that big shops want to fool with.