Is it illegal to make black powder?

I got into some trouble with the law and the police started an investigation with the U.S. Postal Service. A package was stopped with a total of 18 pounds of 2 of the ingredients to make black powder (charcoal and potassium nitrate). Also included was a ball mill. A search warrant was performed in my room, and they found empty M-60 paper tubes, fuses, and some other fireworks ingredients. The reason I was buying the black powder ingredients was to make fireworks. I'm just wondering if I need to worry about it. (I live in PA, USA)Is it illegal to make black powder?
Making any type of explosive is illegal. It wouldn't matter what state you were in, this could be a federal charge.





However, I suspect they were not looking for someone making fireworks, I'm sure they were looking for something much bigger. You can only hope they won't waste their time and resources on this.Is it illegal to make black powder?
Depends on the law in your state. I know in KY (any firework that leaves the ground is illegal) they arrest and charge people often, but its usually looked upon about as seriously as a traffic ticket . . . plus thats a commonwealth so they just pull laws out of their butts . . . .