I don’t want it to be lost in comments, so here is the full text of a note from Dan Tanner.
Wow, the ignorance abounds! FYI, the state certificate of possession is no longer issued by the state of Oregon. Their whole state explosives program has been eliminated and the laws regarding possession do not exist. You see, in 2003, the “Safe Explosives Act” was passed by the ATFE, requiring a federal license to purchase any explosive. However, you may still manufacture your own explosive for personal NON-commercial use, (Read it in the Federal Orange Book). But it must be used the same day it is made in order to be in compliance with storage laws. Now, Tannerite rifle targets are further exempt from regulatory control. They fall into the same class as Black Powder. Black Powder is regulated as an explosive (1.1D in 100 lbs or over, 4.1 in under 50 lbs if DESIGNED FOR SPORTING USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPORTING ARMS. All states allow the possession explosives in conjunction with sporting use. You are allowed to make your own version of black powder, and you are allowed to mix Tannerite essentially just another version of black powder…but louder, and more stable/safe) In 13 years, I just can’t believe how ignorant people are on law. Have you ever seen a person get criminally charged for using Tannerite as a target? I didn’t think so. I have NEVER had a customer get nailed IF they use it as prescribed (a rifle target). Still legal, still has a sterling track record, still available for sale.
Cordially,
Daniel@Tannerite
Just to be clear, when I searched for the Oregon laws, they led to the place I linked in the Oregon code. That this section of the law is no longer enforced isn’t mentioned anywhere I could find, but Dan is the SME for Oregon, so I’ll go with that. As I said earlier, many states delegate explosives regulation to the Federal level via reference; Oregon may well be one of those states. However, the law as published does not read that way.
As for storage, Dan is correct; at the federal level, if you don’t use it the same day, you don’t need storage.
I completely agree with Dan that Tannerite, beyond being a better product, is more safe and more stable than black powder. I also agree that it is legal, as it is a binary explosive; which is to say, it isn’t an explosive at all until you mix it. I’m not sure what the track record is (safety? sales?), and it is certainly available for sale.
To reiterate, I think the only laws that should cover explosives are the ones of Darwinism. Where Dan and I depart is that my reading of the laws of Oregon and Washington are that manufacturing and possessing the explosive is further regulated (further than federal law). Dan says that the section of Oregon law I quoted earlier is no longer in force. I’ll note that other sections of 480 have notes on when and why there were repealed, and this section does not.
Really, it boils down to what I said at first. Read the laws yourself. Get up to speed. Don’t be the guy on ARFCOM asking how to transport the couple of cases he’d mixed up in his private airplane. Be safe and have fun.
