Plastic Explosives
All plastic explosives manufactured or imported on or after April 24, 1996, must contain a detection agent. (The importation of plastic explosives into the United States requires that the importer file ATF Form 6 certifying that the imported plastic explosives contain the required detection agent, or is exempted from the marking requirements as provided in the regulations). It unlawful to manufacture, import, transfer, receive, or possess any plastic explosive that does not contain a detection agent. Federal law enforcement agencies and the military may possess unmarked plastic explosives if they meet the affirmative defense requirements under 27 CFR 555.182.
No. Police departments and other state or local law enforcement agencies could lawfully possess unmarked plastic explosives acquired on or before April 24, 1996, until April 24, 1999. Such agencies still possessing unmarked plastic explosives should destroy them or abandon them to ATF. Contact the nearest ATF field office for information.
[18 U.S.C. 842(n); 27 CFR 555.180(c)(1)]
No. With the exception of the use-up period provided by law for federal law enforcement agencies or the military, the time period for lawful possession of unmarked plastic explosives terminated on April 24, 1999.
[18 U.S.C. 842(n); 27 CFR 555.180(c)]
These agents are listed in the law and regulations at 18 U.S.C. 841(p) and 27 CFR 555.180(d)(3).
All plastic explosives manufactured or imported on or after April 24, 1996, must contain a detection agent. Federal law enforcement agencies and the military may possess unmarked plastic explosives if they meet the requirements of the use-up period described in question, Are police departments exempt from the prohibition against possessing unmarked plastic explosives after April 24, 1999?. [18 U.S.C. 841(q), 842(n); 27 CFR 555.180]
A plastic explosive is defined as "an explosive material in flexible or elastic sheet form formulated with one or more high explosives which in their pure form has a vapor pressure less than 10<4> Pa at a temperature of 25 °C, is formulated with a binder material, and is as a mixture malleable or flexible at normal room temperature." [18 U.S.C. 841(q); 27 CFR 555.180(d)(4)]
