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ATF Warns Consumers – Illegal Explosives Devices are not Fireworks

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- CHICAGO — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) wants consumers to celebrate safely this Fourth of July and be mindful that illegal explosives devices are not fireworks.

Illegally manufacturing or the distribution of powerful fireworks not made for consumer use can result in tragedies.

ATF wants to make consumers aware that illegal explosives devices are not fireworks. Users risk property damage, loss of limbs or eyes, and even loss of life by manufacturing or using them. Illegal explosives devices “commonly referred to as M–80s, quarter sticks, or cherry bombs” often come in plain brown or white wrappers, with no identifying marks.

Because they meet neither safety nor quality standards, they are extremely dangerous. They can be highly unstable because heat, shock or pressure can trigger accidental detonation.

Consumer fireworks, unless restricted by state or local laws, are fireworks which can be sold to the general public. Consumer fireworks are defined in 27 CFR 555.11 as any small firework device designed to produce visible effects by combustion and which must comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Some small devices designed to produce audible effects are included, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing 50 mg or less of explosive materials, and aerial devices containing 130 mg or less of explosive materials. Consumer fireworks are marked with brightly colored and decorated paper and include a trade name and manufacturing information.

Display fireworks defined in 27 CFR 555.11 are large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. This term includes, but is not limited to, salutes containing more than 2 grains (130 mg) of explosive materials, aerial shells containing more than 40 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, and other display pieces which exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as consumer fireworks. Anyone importing, manufacturing, dealing in, or otherwise receiving display fireworks must have an ATF explosives license or permit.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency charged with enforcing federal explosives laws. ATF actively works with the CPSC, industry partners and with state and local agencies through their fireworks enforcement programs to prevent trafficking of illegal fireworks and to protect citizens from the dangers of illegal explosives devices.

If you know of someone who is illegally trafficking in oversized or otherwise unlawful or dangerous illegal explosive devices, ATF asks you to contact your local law enforcement agencies or call ATF’s toll–free hotline at 1-888-ATF-BOMB (1-888-283-2662), or email ATFTips@atf.gov.

Public Service Announcement Available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATFHQ?feature=mhum#p/u/4/rI8OOQ4RGxA

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

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ATF Authorizes Manufacturers To Streamline Required Firearms Markings

BATFE

WASHINGTON DC—-(AmmoLand.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a ruling authorizing licensed manufacturers who perform a manufacturing process on firearms for another licensed manufacturer not to place their serial numbers and other required identification markings on the firearm, provided the firearm is already properly marked with a serial number and all other requirements of the ruling are met.

During the manufacturing process, many firearms manufacturers contract with other manufacturers to perform various steps in the manufacturing process. Currently the applicable regulations require that each manufacturer performing a manufacturing process on a firearm, including a frame or receiver, place its identifying markings on each firearm.

However, multiple identification markings can be confusing to law enforcement and potentially hinder effective tracing of firearms used in crimes.

Further, unique marks of identification of firearms serve several purposes:

• They are used by the federal firearms licensees to effectively track firearms inventories and maintain all records.
• They enable law enforcement to trace specific firearms used in crimes from the manufacturer or importer, to individual purchasers, and to identify particular firearms that have been lost or stolen.
• They help prove in certain criminal prosecutions that firearms used in a crime have travelled in interstate or foreign commerce.

While manufacturers may request a variance not to mark, and thus avoid placing multiple markings on firearms, ATF has determined such requests are unnecessary if certain conditions have been met.

If a manufacturer desiring not to mark firearms submits information to ATF as outlined in ATF Ruling 2009-5, and is performing a manufacturing process on firearms that have been acquired from another manufacturer and already are properly marked, no variance is required and the manufacturer may engage in the manufacturing process without placing its identifying markings on the firearms.
More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

About:
ATF – Is a unique law enforcement agency in the United States Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products.

We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research, and use of technology.

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