ATFE "Limited" Permits For Rocketry Useless Or Unobtainable

03/19/03 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

March 18, 2003 - Gail Davis, chief of the ATF's public safety branch in Washington, D.C. stated in an article on the Space.Com web site that hobbyists can simply apply for a “Limited” permit that requires a background check, a $25 fee and get finger printed to buy rocket motors using over 62.5 grams of propellant. “There's a process for that and it's not an impossible process,” Davis said. While it may be possible for some, it is an impossible process for many and will force them out of the hobby. Second, even if consumers get a “Limited” permit, it is so limited that for most consumers it is useless.

All ATFE permits require the applicant provide storage for explosive materials. This can be an explosive storage facility on the applicants premises or a storage facility belonging to someone else, provided the applicant can prove they can use the other person's explosive storage facility. It has been proven through many tests that ammonium perchlorate composite propellant is not an explosive, but since the ATFE permit is to buy and use explosives, the ATFE requires permit holders to be able to store explosives. It is reasonable to assume that consumers living in apartments, condominiums and houses in residential areas are going to have difficulty providing their own explosive storage facilities. Their only alternative is to find someone willing to give them permission to store explosives. Most people would agree that this would not be simple or easy. In fact, it would be highly unlikely for someone to find another individual or company willing to let a stranger have access to their storage facility.

For those lucky enough to provide some means of storing explosives, pass the background check and are given an ATFE “Limited” permit, they face a second hard reality. The “Limited” permit only allows the holder to buy from dealers and manufacturers in their state of residence. Most states do not have manufacturers or dealers selling consumer rocket motors with over 62.5 grams of propellant. So even after going through the entire ATFE permit process, the hobbyist cannot find anyone to buy from in their state. For them, the “Limited” permit is useless.

[ from www.space-rockets.com/arsanews with permission ]

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