Illegal Explosives Devices
Illegal explosive devices are often manufactured and used during the Fourth of July fireworks season. Due to their explosive material composition and unpredictability, they are inherently dangerous during their manufacture, transportation and use. Homemade explosive materials and products can pose a particular risk for injury since the persons manufacturing the devices often lack the knowledge, skills and experience required for such activities.
Law enforcement agencies consider explosive devices such as M-80s, M-100s, quarter sticks, cherry bombs, silver salutes and other similar devices illegal because they exceed the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's explosives weight limits for consumer fireworks.
M-80
- Average Size:
- 5/8″ diameter, 1 1/2″ long.
- Average Load:
- .12 oz. explosive mixture.
- Risk Factor:
- Damage to fingers, hands, and eyes.
M-100, Silver Salute
- Average Size:
- 1″ diameter, 2 1/2″ long.
- Average Load:
- .33 oz. explosive mixture.
- Risk Factor:
- Severe damage to face, arms and body.
M-250
- Average Size:
- 1″ diameter, 3″ long.
- Average Load:
- .48 oz. explosive mixture.
- Risk Factor:
- Severe crippling, disfiguring injuries.
M-1000, Quarter Stick
- Average Size:
- 1″ diameter, 6″ long.
- Average Load:
- .97 oz. explosive mixture.
- Risk Factor:
- Extremely severe injuries to body, has caused death.
Clandestinely manufactured, these devices do not meet recognized safety standards. Friction, heat, jarring, or dropping these products can cause them to initiate, resulting in personal injury and property damage. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has classified these types of explosives devices as forbidden explosives
since they have not been submitted to USDOT laboratories or other competent authorities, have not undergone the required testing and evaluation, and have not been approved for transport within the United States.
Under the federal explosives law, it is illegal to engage in the business of manufacturing explosives without a license, to improperly store explosives, to sell or distribute explosives to any person who does not hold an ATF license or permit, to receive explosives without a license or permit or to transport explosives materials without a license or permit.
Some indicators that a device may be regulated under federal law are:
- It resembles a roll of coins with a green hobby fuse.
- It consists of a cardboard tube or similar product wrapped in nondescript spiral-wound paper tubes and filled with sensitive explosive materials/powders. It may be red, silver or brown in color.
- It may be 1 to 6 inches long and up to an inch or more in diameter.
- It is sold in non-commercial locations, such as out of a vehicle or residence.
Each year ATF investigates explosives accidents involving the manufacture of explosive devices such as these. These accidents often result in serious injury to or death of person(s) and extensive damage to property. ATF asks that the public report the manufacture or sale of such explosive devices to their local ATF office or by calling ATF’s toll-free hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662).
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