p. Washington, D.C. – Hobby rocketeers who want to send their crafts to the skies will not have to first navigate through clouds of red tape and federal government permits if U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., succeeds in passing a bill he introduced today.
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EnziÂ’s bill, S. 724 [ed: PDF! ], would exempt users of certain model rocket propellants from explosive permit requirements, much like antique firearm users are exempted from permit requirements for black powder use.
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**<div align="center">Enzi launches model rocket protection bill</div>**
Washington, D.C. – Hobby rocketeers who want to send their crafts to the skies will not have to first navigate through clouds of red tape and federal government permits if U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., succeeds in passing a bill he introduced today.
EnziÂ’s bill, S. 724, would exempt users of certain model rocket propellants from explosive permit requirements, much like antique firearm users are exempted from permit requirements for black powder use.
“Model rocket enthusiasts across the country and even across the ocean are very worried about how enforcement of regulations and the passage of new restrictions in the Homeland Security Act could negatively affect them. It was not Congress’ intent to harm model rocketry with passage of the Homeland Security Act. My bill would simply assure that people can go on enjoying their hobby without having to jump through a lot of needless regulatory hoops,” said Enzi.
Hobbyists are most concerned with added requirements regarding the use of Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant (APCP), which is classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) as an explosive. Before 1997 the BATF exempted APCP used for consumer rocket motors from the permits required for other substances on the explosives list. Since that time only rocket motors with less than 62.5 grams of APCP have been exempt. Handlers of rocket motors that contained more than 62.5 grams of APCP were required to get permits to purchase and transport the motors between states. Now, with the passage of the Homeland Security Act the permits are scheduled to be applied to those who purchase and transport the motors within a state.
“Some shipping companies are refusing to transport rocket motors because of added requirements. This hurts the shipping company itself, small business owners who operate hobby shops and the kids and adults who build and launch model rockets,” said Enzi. “People who build and launch model rockets for fun aren’t the bad guys. They shouldn’t have to go through a rigorous set of obstacles in order to enjoy their hobby. We should be encouraging youth to take up this mind-expanding activity, not squelching initiative.”
Enzi said the current 62.5 gram APCP exemption is still too restrictive.
“We shouldn’t get caught up in an arbitrary number. Many legitimate hobbyists use rocket motors that contain more propellant than would be exempted under BATF rules. Many small businesses sell motors of varying sizes including those over the current BATF limit. Some trucking companies are afraid to ship rocket motors that contain any APCP propellant,” said Enzi. “My bill would provide a clear exemption for a worthy hobby that brings joy to a lot of people.”
Enzi took great care to write the bill so the exemption would only apply to legitimate hobby use of rocket propellant. The exemption would only apply to non-detonable rocket propellant. There are some high-energy APCP composites that have additional chemicals in their composition that make them detonate, instead of burn at a moderate rate. The high-energy APCP is not used in amateur rocketry and would not be exempted under EnziÂ’s bill.
A group of at least seven other senators has already signed on as cosponsors of EnziÂ’s bill. Enzi plans to speak on the Senate floor in the coming days to encourage even more support from his colleagues.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.
