When buying powder at the Bass Pro Shops near me, they have a policy of asking for your drivers license, then photo-copying it, and keeping it "on file", according to them, for the ATF. They even do this when buying Pyrodex. Has anyone else heard of this procedure elsewhere, and what do you think of it?
Charlie

I've yet to have anyone "card" me when buying powder, primers, or ammo here in FLA. The Gray hair answers the "old enough" question and apparently there is no State or Federal Law that requires taking my data like that. It is QUITE possible that Maryland might have a STATE law requiring the recording of your info, but it ain't a Federal requirement. If it IS, there are a LOT of places down here that are gonna find their rearend's in a sling one day [] .

Mark,
I don't think it was an age thing, unless there are a lot of bald kids running around buying powder! This wasn't when I was paying for it, this was just to have it handed to me from the safe behind the gun counter. I've bought Pyrodex here in MD at several places, never needing to be kept "on file", so I don't think it was a MD law. I just got into reloading, and I'll be going there to get some H4350 powder this week, so I'll ask a few more questions about the policy.
Charlie

I buy the biggest share of my powder at gun shows. No problem there. Can't say as I've ever heard of anything like that.

I have been asked what I was going to use it for at the checkout before, but never had to show an ID, I would guess that the store itself has that policy in order to cover its rearend, or perhaps its a state or local rule. Sure isn't in MI.

I have purchased powder from www.powdervalleyinc.com , and they required my ID, but that was out of state. Good luck.

Well, I just got back from Bass Pro, and here's what I was told. Apparently, it is an Anne Arundel Co. law, and the info is sent to the fire marshall's office, not the ATF. A buddy of mine works in the AA Co fire marshall's office, so I'll ask him what he knows about it. According to the guy at BPS, they (fire marshall) just want to keep track of the "explosives" sold, and what type. Wonder if they hang out at the gas station and write it down, every time you fill your tank?[&:][>:]
Charlie

That's BS, smokeless powder is classified as a propellant, not an explosive. Black powder and its substitutes are classified as explosives. Here in the PRNJ you don't need to show id to buy primers but for powder it goes in the log book, no copies of the license is made. BTW that is a violation of the Privacy Act of 1974. The only info they need is your name and address.

Yeah, I hear you TC. I felt like explaining the propellent vs explosive issue, but the Bass Pro guy didn't make the law, they just have to follow it I guess. I'll debate this with my friend from the FM office, and see what he has to say. Any more opinions are welcomed, as I will discuss them with him as well. I may contact the NRA, and see what they say too.
Thanks,
Charlie

Absolutely NOT!! The Police State of New York has a State law, where they take your name, rank, serial number, address, date of birth, etc. etc., and put it in a spiral notebook, BUT that's the Police State of NY doing that, there is NO FED. REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH NONSENSE (YET!!) I now buy powder in Waynesboro, PA, and in Hancock MD, and NEITHER STATE has such a requirement, as far as the people from whom I buy my powder know! Must just be a Bass Pro-Shop idea!! Buy your powder from someone else!!