Skip to main content
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives seal ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives logo
ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives seal ATF - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives logo

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Search form

Main menu

  • Who We Are
    • About
      • Executive Staff
      • Organization Structure
      • Our History
      • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Contact
      • Hotlines
      • Licensing Services
      • For Media & Congress
      • For Victims & Witnesses
    • Careers
      • Special Agent
      • IO Investigator
      • Attorneys
      • Professional/Technical
    • Locations
      • HQ Offices
      • Field Divisions
      • Local Offices
      • International
  • What We Do
    • Mission Areas
      • Firearms
      • Explosives
      • Arson
      • Alcohol & Tobacco
    • Regulations
      • Laws
      • Regulations
      • Federal Register
      • Rulings
    • News
      • Advisories
      • Press Releases
      • Social Media
      • Media Contacts
    • Laboratories
      • Fire Research
      • Forensics
      • Firearms Examiner Academy
    • Most Wanted
      • Reward Notices
  • Resources
    • Download Forms
      • Order Paper Forms
    • Photo Galleries
      • Firearms Gallery
      • K-9 Gallery
    • Publications
      • Fact Sheets
      • Regulations Library
      • FOIA
    • Q&A
      • Firearms
      • Explosives
      • Careers
    • Data & Statistics
      • U.S. Firearms Trace Data
      • U.S. Firearms Commerce Report
      • AFMER

You are here

Home

Questions and Answers

  • Q&As Home
  • Firearms Q&As
  • Explosives Q&As
  • Alcohol & Tobacco Q&As
  • Asset Forfeiture Q&As
  • Careers Q&As
  • All Q&As by Category

Plastic Explosives

This section is intended to identify what are plastic explosives and how they must be handled.

What is a plastic explosive?

What plastic explosives are required to contain detection agents?

What are the permissible detection agents for marking plastic explosives?

If a person acquired plastic explosives not containing a detection agent before April 24, 1996, may he or she continue to lawfully possess the explosives?

Are police departments exempt from the prohibition against possessing unmarked plastic explosives after April 24, 1999?

Is it lawful to manufacture, import, ship, transport, transfer, receive, or possess any plastic explosive that does not contain a detection agent?

Keep up with the latest ATF updates:

facebook twitter instagram youtube email

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Executive Staff
    • Organization Structure
    • Our History
  • What We Do
    • Firearms
    • Explosives
    • Arson
    • Alcohol & Tobacco
  • News
    • Press Releases
    • Advisories
    • Reward Notices
    • Media/Congressional Contacts
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
    • Industry Operations Investigator
    • EEO and Disability Information
  • Resource Center
    • Statistics
    • FOIA
    • Most Wanted
    • Download Forms
  • Open Government
    • Privacy Policy
    • Legal Policies & Disclaimers
    • USA.gov
    • No Fear Act
    • Whistleblower Rights & Protections
Site Map
Accessibility & Plug-Ins
ATF.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
ATF: Protecting the public. Serving our nation.