Legality of Binary Targets (aka "Tannerite") (NOT legal 'mixed' in CA - DD)

[CriticalEnmity]

"Intent" of making an explosive yeah, but owning them on there own isn't illegal that's like saying I cant own dry ice because I have a soda bottle in my fridge.

[CriticalEnmity]

Actually if you owned ammonium nitrate(especially in quantity) and didn't own/work on a farm and you own some diesel fuel and didn't own a diesel vehicle you could definitely be charged with constructive possession of a DD for the materials to make an ANFO.

Hell if you possessed both items and didn't have a clearly legitimate use for one of them you could likely be charged for constructive possession. Frankly if you don't actively work a farm or have a significant garden even owning ammonium nitrate can be called into question.

It's the classic case of if you're not farming then really the only other classic use is in explosives. Saying you own it because you 'can' probably won't help your case.

If you're not actively using it for something legitimate you likely don't want to own it. Might you be able to get off? Maybe...but you could also likely be arrested and prosecuted.

It's the classic issue of play stupid games and win stupid prizes.

Ammonium nitrate is close enough to ammonium perchlorate which is also an oxidizer that I deal with on a regular basis because I'm into rocketry along with aluminum powder if you mix them and a few other things you make APCP rocket fuel which is used in the space shuttle solid rocket booster, it does have the potential to blow up if your rocket motor fails or isn't designed correctly but that doesn't make it an explosive device. The federal government does not regulate the production of composite propellants for your own use. They are not on the ATF Explosives List. even though they have the potential of blowing up if not designed properly. all of this really comes down to "intent" and owning ammonium nitrate follows the same rule as it could also be used for a motor although it isn't as good.

[CrazyPhuD]

"Intent" of making an explosive yeah, but owning them on there own isn't illegal that's like saying I cant own dry ice because I have a soda bottle in my fridge.

The problem is, they can make a case for intent with AN because realistically the only legitimate use of AN is in fertilizer. So if you're not growing something(and quite frankly probably a significant amount of something) then what intent do you have with it?

Possession of AN without a farm or significant garden may be enough to establish probable cause for a friendly judge to issue a warrant to search the rest of your house/computer, especially post 9/11, OKCity.

At that point if they find browser search history looking up tannerite or 'explosive targets' that could give them the chargeable intent they need.

If you have a legitimate defensible use for it, by all means own it, but if your use is 'questionable' then you are asking for a headache.

[CrazyPhuD]

Ammonium nitrate is close enough to ammonium perchlorate which is also an oxidizer that I deal with on a regular basis because I'm into rocketry along with aluminum powder if you mix them and a few other things you make APCP rocket fuel which is used in the space shuttle solid rocket booster, it does have the potential to blow up if your rocket motor fails or isn't designed correctly but that doesn't make it an explosive device. The federal government does not regulate the production of composite propellants for your own use. They are not on the ATF Explosives List. even though they have the potential of blowing up if not designed properly. all of this really comes down to "intent" and owning ammonium nitrate follows the same rule as it could also be used for a motor although it isn't as good.

Here's the question, is AN regularly used as a rocket propellant? If the answer is 'yes' then you may have a defense-able use. If the answer is 'no' then you may have a problem.

It doesn't matter if it 'could' be used it matters if it is regularly used(or at the very least you regularly use it). I mean someone could say they all of a sudden decide to take up farming that's why they claim to own AN, but if they have no other significant indicators of that, saying they intend to farm doesn't help them.

Again it's possession could be grounds to grant a warrant if you can't justify it at which point if they find any questionable intent you could be in trouble.

This is a post 9/11 world and judges will be quite a bit friendlier about warrants when potential explosives are involved. Thank the domestic and foreign terrorists for that.

[CriticalEnmity]

Here's the question, is AN regularly used as a rocket propellant? If the answer is 'yes' then you may have a defense-able use. If the answer is 'no' then you may have a problem.

It doesn't matter if it 'could' be used it matters if it is regularly used(or at the very least you regularly use it). I mean someone could say they all of a sudden decide to take up farming that's why they claim to own AN, but if they have no other significant indicators of that, saying they intend to farm doesn't help them.

Again it's possession could be grounds to grant a warrant if you can't justify it at which point if they find any questionable intent you could be in trouble.

This is a post 9/11 world and judges will be quite a bit friendlier about warrants when potential explosives are involved. Thank the domestic and foreign terrorists for that.

True but ammonium nitrate is also used for rocket motors and I have used it before I switched to a better fuel mixtures, so I guess that is reason enough to own it in my case especially when I can go through my college and have my professor order anything if I cant find any readily available online at the time. I guess this really boils down to common folks who have zero reason to own it in any case.

The real frustrating thing Is I can hop in a car, drive for about 2 and a half hours and be in a state where it is perfectly fine.

[sl0re10]

It absolutely IS an explosive.
The steering wheel center explodes into fragmented pieces.

read the sentence you wrote. The steering wheel explodes.

Expanding gasses can make other things blow apart or explode. That doesn't make the burning material giving off the gas an explosive. Librarian used smokeless powder as an example of something we are all familiar with. Everyday gun powder is not considered an explosive. It just burns fast and gives off a lot of expanding gasses....

Blackpowder is an explosive.

[Tincon]

Regardless of the legality of car airbags, tannerite is still illegal.

[jaymz]

Yup.

[CNC_Apps_Guy]

In California, if you have to ask if something is "illegal" it probably is. I can't believe lane splitting on a motorcycle is legal in California...

Historically, motorcycles were air cooled thus needing air flow to prevent over heating, and sitting in traffic exposed to the vehicle emissions for extended periods of time opens the door for carbon monoxide poisoning and the rider becoming unconscious.

[Chunky_lover]

this is a good way to prevent any accidental fires

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osrWmQtyatw&feature=em-uploademail

[lhecker51]

You're avg 6 month shooter is supposed to be responsible and spend 60 seconds on google to make sure what they are about to do is legal. Same thing I would hope anyone would do if they were to buy fireworks that are legal some places and check to ensure they can be fired off where they are going.

Sorry but there are hundreds of things that we can go out and buy, use and be guilty of committing a crime. Ignorance of the law doesn't preclude you from being responsible for following those laws.

I can walk into a store and buy a standard mag release for my AR. The store owner doesn't have any obligation to tell me what I can/cannot do with this part, however if I assemble this onto my AR and do not make the appropriate modifications - then I can be charged with a felony for possession of an assault rifle. It would be no one's fault but my own for not doing my due diligence.

I'm also curious about what else is missing from this story. They say a fire was started but that the Tannerite is unable to start a fire...so what else was going on to start the fire?

Years ago, we used similar concoctions to blow tree stumps. Liberty and freedom are illegal if one receives enjoyment from it's exercise. I better let my law enforcement friends know they committed a felony a this past summer.

[AusomeDood]

The vid where it caused a fire with use of gasoline, was actually not Tannerite branded so I don't know that it would cause a fire. I have used the stuff outside the state (it's freakin awesome) and have yet to see a fire from it. Take that info how you will.