[natedog]

Are flamethrowers considered DD's? Are there any firearms laws regarding them? Check out this (http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?ItemNum=4935801)

[Hkmp5sd]

Flamethrowers are not regulated by the federal government. If there are no local prohibitions on them, they are perfectly legal. After all, they are merely a couple of tanks, valves and a few feet of hose.

[Wilhelm]

What do they use for fuel?

[einnor1040]

Are you having problems with the neighbors? ;)

[natedog]

Darn cat won't shut up :)

[MagKnightX]

I believe that the standard flamethrower uses a gelled gasoline-type material or napalm, with propane or butane gas for propulsion and to operate the pilot light. They wouldn't be that hard to build, but I bet they would be difficult to get fuel for.

[Double Naught Spy]

While maybe not specifically regulated like firearms, a flame thrower can definitely be considered illegal.

Hkmp5sd stated,
"Flamethrowers are not regulated by the federal government. If there are no local prohibitions on them, they are perfectly legal. After all, they are merely a couple of tanks, valves and a few feet of hose."

Unfortunately, you can break down a lot of items to component parts that are not threatening in any way. Breaking down the item to compoent parts, however, does not mean that the item is legal.



Sec. 2332a. - UFlame throwers would be considered weapons of mass destruction under federal law...

Sec. 2332a. - Use of certain weapons of mass destruction


(a) Offense Against a National of the United States or Within the United States. -

A person who, without lawful authority, uses, threatens, or attempts or conspires to use, a weapon of mass destruction (other than a chemical weapon as that term is defined in section 229F), including any biological agent, toxin, or vector (as those terms are defined in section 178) -

(1)

against a national of the United States while such national is outside of the United States;

(2)

against any person within the United States, and the results of such use affect interstate or foreign commerce or, in the case of a threat, attempt, or conspiracy, would have affected interstate or foreign commerce; or

(3)

against any property that is owned, leased or used by the United States or by any department or agency of the United States, whether the property is within or outside of the United States,


shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, and if death results, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

(b) Offense by National of the United States Outside of the United States. -

Any national of the United States who, without lawful authority, uses, or threatens, attempts, or conspires to use, a weapon of mass destruction (other than a chemical weapon (as that term is defined in section 229F)) outside of the United States shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, and if death results, shall be punished by death, or by imprisonment for any term of years or for life.

(c) Definitions. -

For purposes of this section -

(1)

the term ''national of the United States'' has the meaning given in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22)); and

(2)

the term ''weapon of mass destruction'' means -

(A)

any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title;

(B)

any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors;

(C)

any weapon involving a disease organism; or

(D)

any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life



Section 921 defines a destructive device as ...
(4)

The term ''destructive device'' means -

(A)

any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas -

(i)

bomb,

(ii)

grenade,

(iii)

rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces,

(iv)

missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce,

(v)

mine, or

(vi)

device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses;

[jimpeel]

At Big Jim's Machinegun Sanctuary:

http://www.bigjimsmgs.com/VIDEOS99/flame2.avi

Lots of videos of people having a good time laying down some lead -- lots of it.

[Hkmp5sd]

Sec. 2332a. - UFlame throwers would be considered weapons of mass destruction under federal law...

They could, but at present, they are not. And 2332a does not mention flame throwers by name. The inserted title is misleading.


Flame Thrower - not a DD, nor even a firearm. Unregulated

General Guide to Class 3 Weapons by James O. Bardwel (http://www.ccfa.com/ownershi.htm)

And given that Napalm is still in the US armory and used in combat, I doubt the US government is going to consider it a "Weapon of Mass" destruction so they can be accused of using a WMD in warfare on CNN.

[Black Snowman]

Interstingly enough it's my understanding (from various unreliable sources) that the flame thrower was created as a farm impliment for quickly clearing fields. They weren't quite as extreme as the combat children but quite impressive none the less.

As such I would imagine that their use is regulated, but not their ownership. But here I'm just guessing.

[BamBam]

If I have to get my Flame Thrower licensed now I'm going to be upset.

[TexasVet]

As such I would imagine that their use is regulated, but not their ownership. But here I'm just guessing.

And guessing wrong. Flamethrowers are not regulated by any federal law, including if you really read the thing, the one quoted above. West Texas ranchers often use flamethrowers to burn the thorns off cactus in dry spells so the cows could eat them. They even make civilian propane models still as a regular farm implement.
I never understand why people just can't accept that there is nothing illegal about owning and using a flamethrower.:confused:
I guess it's because they are scary looking in action, just like the Tec-9 my little local rag found so scary last week. And we all know that what is scary MUST be banned, right?:rolleyes:

[keederdag]

My Roofer uses one regularly torching down biddemen Roofing (flat Roofs) hot work in AZ summer; But could handle cat problem I guess! It's Propane, so you'd have to consult Hank Hill about legality.:D

[ShaiVong]

Yeah, we've used something like that around here to burn our fields. Nothing impressive, but the mechanics would be nearly the same. You would have to ban propane torches and wielding torches, and gas grills!

Just a propane tank with a hose and handmade bell on the end. Shoot a flame a few feet cranked wide open, though you start to worry that its gonna detonate right in your hands. :uhoh:

Heres the straight dope:

http://people.howstuffworks.com/flamethrower.htm

[Skunkabilly]

Oooh...unregulated eh?

My new barbecue gun :D

[jimpeel]

I don't think you will top this guy though. He used to have a webpage that had a movie of him lighting a grill but now all it says is "The people in charge have requested this web site be removed. 2/6/2003 --ghg"

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/Ambrosia_Times/September_95/2.5HowTo.html

http://home.att.net/~purduejacksonville/grill.html

[Carlos Cabeza]

I wasn't sure of its legal usage but I made an improvised "charcoal starter" a few years ago. I took it apart, I thought it was too dangerous and risky to use.