BATF harassing Amateur Rocketry Hobbyists - NAR fights back

Josey1

Joint Statement on ATF Litigation, 3/2/2000March 2, 2002In mid-January 2002, we received multiple reports of increased demands made by ATF inspectors on NAR and TRA members with Low Explosive User Permits. In particular, these inspectors demanded motor types whose propellant grains consisted of 62.5 gram and smaller units, generally referred to as "easy access", now be subject to the magazine and record keeping requirements of larger motors if the propellant are designed or intended to be combined and used in a rocket motor whose total propellant weight is greater than 62.5 grams. Our members received at least two instances of written notice of this completely unexpected change in regulation. After consultation with counsel, we also discovered that ATF had filed a motion for summary judgment against three out of four counts in our complaint.After further review by counsel, on Wednesday, February 27, 2002, the NAR and TRA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against ATF. We asked that this illegal change in regulation be rescinded and that any further attempts at unwarranted and illegal regulation of the sport rocket hobby be stayed while our complaint was before the court. Our counsel has been unusually thorough and complete in the preparation of our motion, and we believe we have an extremely strong legal case to present to the court, particularly in light of ATF's action against our members in January.As we have further information on this situation, we will provide it at our websites. We appreciate your constant moral and financial support as we continue to work to secure an unregulated, safe sport rocket hobby. Mark Bundick, President Bruce Kelly, President National Association of Rocketry Tripoli Rocketry Association http://www.tripoli.org/Documents/atf_jnt_state_0302.html

Iconoclast

Lot safer than targeting gun owners or terrorists . . . .

offeror

Next thing you know they'll be out in force about firecrackers under tin cans....Goodbye, October Sky...

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"The 2nd Amendment is about defense, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."

v35

Hmmm,I wonder how much of a payload 965 grains of propellant can launch. I can imagine BATF's concern.

Brth729

v35When I was in school, in a shop class I took, we put a soda can up 900+ feet. Don't recall how much propellant was in the motor, but it was about as round as a fifty-cent piece and at least four inches long.Not saying that I've done it myself, but a nose cone can be loaded. [This message has been edited by Brth729 (edited 03-18-2002).]

robsguns

This is the stupidest thing I've heard of lately. There are so many means of blowing things up, is it their intent to screw with ever leagal hobbyist, be it a gun owner or whoever? Do you know that there are 'model airplanes' that are capable of opening up their bomb bay doors and delivering a payload of whatever? Dont you think that could be a little dangerous? Oh gee, we didnt think of that. These idiots that work at the BATF must be running around like chickens with their heads chopped off, trying to think of ways to screw with people that have no intent what soever to do anything but have fun, legally. My buddy had a model B-52 that could be used to deliver a bomb if it was desired to do so, that doesnt mean hed do it. Lets just regulate every item in this country that could possibly be used to make a bomb, so we'll be left with nothing but our victory gardens, with no fertilizer. Man, give me a break!!

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SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

travelor

I recall the rocketry topic a few months back...and I made many coments about the hobby, and how the certification process works. those chemicals are not readily available anyway...you have to jump through alot of hoops from what I've heard. and your name is on the line when you do aquire them. I hope that my comments here were not misconstrued by the jackboots...I would really feel terrible if I had anything to do with the intervention.I have attended many of those launches, and they are trully ausome to watch.

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keep lots of extra uppers for your ar..you can change often enough to keep the thing from over heating...what ever caliber fits the moment..~Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~

madminute

You do realize that if an individual were intending to build a rocket-propelled destructive device to use in some type of attack or criminal act, he certainly would not do it from the observed and above board licensed ranks of a hobby rocket club. Of course we know this. But again, the easiest target gets hit for an easy score and some * gets a promotion. While across town, some serious terrorist is building a serious missile in total secret in some basement, probably buying all the materials in plain view at Home Depot and concocting propellants and explosives in his kitchen....