Practice Grenades

[cdtx2001]

We've all seen them, those practice hand grenades with the blue tab and big hole drilled into the bottom of them.

My question is, are they still legal to own here in CA or has something changed? I can't find the current legal mumbo jumbo on them.

Thanks.

[Quiet]

We've all seen them, those practice hand grenades with the blue tab and big hole drilled into the bottom of them.

My question is, are they still legal to own here in CA or has something changed? I can't find the current legal mumbo jumbo on them.

Thanks.

They are CA legal if they are completely filled in with a permanent inert substance (such as concrete). [PC 19205]



Penal Code 16590
As used in this part, "generally prohibited weapon" means any of the following:
(p) A metal military practice handgrenade or a metal replica handgrenade, as prohibited by Section 19200.

Penal Code 19200
(a) Except as provided in Section 19205 and Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a first offense involving any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade shall be punishable only as an infraction unless the offender is an active participant in a criminal street gang as defined in the Street Terrorism and Enforcement and Prevention Act (Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 186.20) of Title 7 of Part 1).

Penal Code 19205
Section 19200 does not apply to any plastic toy handgrenade, or any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade that is a relic, curio, memorabilia, or display item, that is filled with a permanent inert substance, or that is otherwise permanently altered in a manner that prevents ready modification for use as a grenade.

Penal Code 19290
Except as provided in Section 19205 and in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2, any metal military practice handgrenade or metal replica handgrenade is a nuisance and is subject to Section 18010.

[cdtx2001]

Instead of filled with an inert substance, it still says "modified in such a manner that will prevent ready use..."

So I guess that big hole drilled in it still counts.

Thanks for the reply

[Quiet]

Instead of filled with an inert substance, it still says "modified in such a manner that will prevent ready use..."

So I guess that big hole drilled in it still counts.

Thanks for the reply

"Big hole" (hole drilled in bottom) does not count.
I believe there was a Court case that determined it.
Defendant had a grenade with a hole in the bottom and attempted to make the grenade operable by sealing the hole and packing the body with blackpowder. Case determined hole drilled in bottom did not prevent ready use.

I believe welding the inert fuse assembly in place would be considered "modified in such a manner that will prevent ready use".

[Eat Dirt]

How about filling the thing with that Spray expanding foam thru the bottom hole ?

[Quiet]

How about filling the thing with that Spray expanding foam thru the bottom hole ?

foam is not considered a permanent inert substance

[Decoligny]

Instead of filled with an inert substance, it still says "modified in such a manner that will prevent ready use..."

So I guess that big hole drilled in it still counts.

Thanks for the reply

Wouldn't count on that.

The key words are "that prevents ready modification for use as a grenade."

The grenade with a large hole in it can be "readily" turned into a functional grenade in about 5 mintues by anyone with a drill, the right sized tap, some cannon fuse, and black powder.

Five minutes is definitely "ready modification".

1. Remove fuse cap from top.
1. Tap threads into the hole on bottom.
2. Insert bolt to seal body of grenade.
3. Drill small hole in grenade body to accept cannon fuse, insert cannon fuse.
4. Fill body with black powder.
5. Screw on fuse cap back on top.

You now have a fully functional Pineapple Grenade. Light fuse, toss at target, duck and cover.

BOOM

The ones that come with the "Complaint Department - Take a Number" are even easier.

They only have a small hole drilled in the bottom. It has a small threaded hole with a machine screw holding it onto the wooden base. It is a small enough hole to be used as a fuse hole, so no modification is needed at all.

Some cannon fuse and black powder and you have all the makings of a functional grenade.

Just fill the thing with JB Weld, or some other permanent epoxy and don't end up in jail for something stupid.

[Decoligny]

"Big hole" (hole drilled in bottom) does not count.
I believe there was a Court case that determined it.
Defendant had a grenade with a hole in the bottom and attempted to make the grenade operable by sealing the hole and packing the body with blackpowder. Case determined hole drilled in bottom did not prevent ready use.

I believe welding the inert fuse assembly in place would be considered "modified in such a manner that will prevent ready use".

Not really.

As stated in my previous post, a drill, tap, cannon fuse, and black powder.

With the fuse cap welded, you still can tap the large hole, drill the fuse hole, fill with black powder and bolt the big hole closed.

The reason for filling the whole thing with an inert epoxy is to eliminate the empty space that black powder can be put into.

[Pofoo]

Even if totally legal, I would be more concerned with someone reporting you and having a swat team break down your door in the middle of the night.