From: pierson@empror.enet.dec.com (dave pierson)
Subject: Re: Questions about the law
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 17:48:05 GMT

In article <1992Sep9.215105.2269@wuecl.wustl.edu>, daryl@dadent.wustl.edu
(Daryl) writes, in part:

>I have some more questions for those of you who are knowledgable about
>the laws regarding fireworks.  
	Welll, semi knowledgable, but no other volunteers having relied.

>I'm a resident of Illinois and would like to manufacture my own fireworks and
>shoot a small display.  Recently, I obtained some information from the county
>clerks office regarding the display and manufacture of fireworks. 
	The state laws vary, widely.  The state goernement (Fire Marshall, or
	(sometimes) State Police are contacts.  Usuallym local libraries will
	have a copy of the state laws.

>The laws pertaining to the display of fireworks seem pretty reasonable but
>there are a huge number of regulations dealing with their manufacture that
>would be hard for an individual to meet.
	Fairly typical.  Check the FAQ for the address of PGII, as they have
	done some groundwork as far as getting people "legal" and what is
	required.  One possibility is to look for clauses like "manufacure
	_for_ _sale_".  NO guarantees.

>Is it easier to manufacture the fireworks without the proper permits and hope
>that a permit to display them will satisfy the local authorities? (I don't sell
>any of my fireworks).
	At a guess, no.  Will vary locally, but they may treat such a case as
	on of bombing and get REAL harsh.  Including making a "federal case" out
	of it.

>My second question deals with the legal classification of fireworks.
>The papers the county clerk gave me were pretty vague.  I seem to 
>remember that any shells up to 3" are 'standard' class C fireworks 
>and that anything bigger than this are considered class B and
>require additional permits to manufacture and display.  Can anyone
>tell me for sure?  I assume this is a matter of federal law.
>Where would I go to get this information?

	Class A, B and C are US DoT classes for shipping (and, to some extent,
	storage of "explosives".  Many other authorities (BATF, CPSC, State)
	adopt them, or subset the.  Class A is High Explosives (dynamite, etc),
	and need not concern us further.

	Class B is "large" amounts of low explosives (black powder, "pro"
	fireworks, others) [*].  Class C is "Common Firworks", intended for sale
	and use by the general public.  I believe that Class C is
	_by_definition_ a manufactured product.  I am not familiar with a shell
	size rule, tho that may be my ignorance.  The best known discriminant
	is the amount of "explosive".

	50 milligrams or under is the limit for Class C ground devices
	(firecrackers.  Aerial devices are allowed 100 milligrams, EXCLUSIVE of
	lift.  I understand that there are rules for other devices (pin wheels,
	roman candles, etc....)

	According to the latest AFN (see the FAQ) the feds have just renamed
	the classes, in accordance with international standards:  Class C is
	now Class 1.4G.  Class B is 1.3G.

	[*]
	There are special rules for black powder for black powder shooters.
	
thanks
dave pierson			|the facts, as accurately as i can manage,
Digital Equipment Corporation	|the opinions, my own.
146 Main St			|I am the NRA.
Maynard, Mass	
01754				pierson@majsty.enet.dec.com
"He has read everything, and, to his credit, written nothing."  A J Raffles
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics