# Proper Disposal of Ammunition

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 16, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323 "2002-05-16T02:45:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![EagleEye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f04885/32.png) [@EagleEye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EagleEye)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323/1 "2002-05-16T02:45:18Z")

</div>

I happen to have about One-third of a box of Winchester Xpert 22 hollow points that won’t discharge from my gun correctly. Is there any certain way I can safely dispose them?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![EagleEye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f04885/32.png) [@EagleEye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EagleEye)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323/2 "2002-05-16T02:48:36Z")

</div>

I guess I shoud have mentioned that my gun is a .22 caliber rifle. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323/3 "2002-05-16T02:50:38Z")

</div>

Take it down to the local cop shop and hand it in.

UK hit.  
[http://www.camcnty.gov.uk/sub/eandt/env/wasteman/atoz/explosives.htm](http://www.camcnty.gov.uk/sub/eandt/env/wasteman/atoz/explosives.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> Waste Management
> 
> - Explosives/Firearms
> 
> What is it?  
> This category includes any items which could potentially be explosive and includes ammunition.
> 
> What should I do with it?
> 
> Please contact your local police station.
> 
> Household Waste Recycling Centres cannot accept waste of this type under any circumstances. It poses a risk to site staff and members of the public.

U.S. hit.  
[http://www.co.washington.or.us/deptmts/hhs/wste\_rcy/h2w.htm#ammo](http://www.co.washington.or.us/deptmts/hhs/wste_rcy/h2w.htm#ammo)

> [@](#):
>
> How do I dispose of ammunition and unused fireworks?  
> A - For safety, PLEASE KEEP AMMUNITION & UNUSED FIREWORKS OUT OF THE GARBAGE. If you have unwanted ammunition or fireworks please take them to your local Oregon State Police Office.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2002, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proper-disposal-of-ammunition/109323/4 "2002-05-16T03:02:01Z")

</div>

Don’t forget to **call** your local cop shop before you show up with the ammo.

Otherwise, it’s possible that as you pull the box from your [pocket | paper bag | purse | whatever] as you blurt out, “_Hey, I’ve got some unused ammo to get rid of here …_” you may very well find yourself staring down the barrels of several police weapons.

I got this advice from a cop (and it was before 9/11).