Wyoming Sen. Enzi Tries To Exempt Them From HSD Law

As ANN reported last week, the shipment of parts vital to model rocket enthusiasts has ground to a halt under a new law regulating the shipment of dangerous materials and explosives
( ANN: Model Rocketry Crippled By A New Federal Law, Feb 22, 2003). Now, those same enthusiasts have a new ally: Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY).

The Current Legislation

Last year's bill requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to monitor the purchase and transfer of "any chemical mixture or device whose primary or common purpose is to function by explosion." The bill requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to monitor the purchase and transfer of "any chemical mixture or device whose primary or common purpose is to function by explosion."

Under this regulation people who build and launch hobby rockets will have to get permits from the ATF to purchase rocket motors and to transport them to where they will be launched. They will also have to undergo extensive background checks that could take at least two months to complete and maintain records that can be inspected by the ATF.

The way the ATF sees it, this includes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, the fuel that is used in commercial and hobby rockets. John Wickman, who was an engineer with Sacramento-based Aerojet from 1974 to 1985, said the small quantities of the chemical in hobby rockets pose no threat to national safety.

"It is safer than gasoline," Wickman said. "You can't make a bomb out of it. Rocket motors are not designed to explode."

Enzi's Idea

"Since these records are primarily kept in the permit holder's home, it subjects the hobbyist's home to possible ATF visits," Enzi wrote in a letter to Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the top Democrat on the Government Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Homeland Security Act.

"The response by Americans to these new restrictions will disengage them from the hobby of rocketry, possibly destroying many small businesses and educational hands-on rocketry programs."

Enzi has also sent a letter to ATF director Bradley Buckles in which he asks that rocket propellant be classified as a "nonexplosive."

ATF spokesman Tom Hill said, "We are aware of the issue and have it under consideration."

Wickman says that shouldn't take a whole lot of consideration. "There is no real threat to anybody." Wickman said. "It's kind of a joke. This was an unintended side effect of the law. I don't believe Congress meant to outlaw the hobby."

If ATF doesn't grant an exemption before the regulation takes effect, May 24, Wickman and others in the hobby rocket industry won't find the "joke" especially funny.

"Many people are saying if there is no relief they will get out of the business," Wickman said. "They don't want the ATF in their shorts."

FMI: www.enzi.senate.gov