# Federal Explosives Act of 1917

Federal Explosives Act of 1917 is a United States federal statutory law citing an incriminating act for the distribution, manufacture, possession, storage, and use of explosive material during the time of war. The Act of Congress authorizes the federal regulation of the distribution, manufacture, possession, storage, and use of incendiary material during wartime.
The Act was passed by the 65th United States Congress and enacted into law by President Woodrow Wilson on October 6, 1917.

## Provisions of 1917 Act

The United States Bureau of Mines governs the federal regulations for restrictive protocols with regards to explosive materials.
* Combustible ingredients are held or purchased in minimal quantities
* Data and formulation processes prohibited from disclosure
* Explosive inspectors authorized by U.S. Bureau of Mines
* Explosive possession is prohibited for unlicensed entities
* Federal licensing applies for blasting agents at mines and quarries
* Federal licensing is subject to discretionary refusal
* Revocation is authorized for a federal explosive license
Federal Explosive License Classifications
    Exporter license
    Foreman license
    Importer license
    Manufacturer license
    Purchaser license
    Technical license (Analyst, Educator, Inventor, Investigator)
    Vendor license

## Presidential Proclamation of 1917

In accordance with the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, President Woodrow Wilson issued Presidential Proclamation 1364 on April 6, 1917. The presidential statement proclaimed national security protections regarding domestic alien enemies petitioning for aggressive terrorist tactics against the United States.

## Precious Metal Regulation of 1918

The Sundry Civil Expenses Appropriations Act of 1918 applied the unlicensed enforcement prohibitions of the federal explosive act for iridium, palladium, platinum, and precious metal compounds.

## Amendment and Cancellation of 1917 Act

The Federal Explosives Act Amendment of 1941 appended the 1917 public law revitalizing the federal scope for the perils of World War II. On July 25, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed a Senate Joint Resolution ceasing provisions of the Federal Explosives Act with the cessation of the European theatre of World War II and Pacific War.

## Repeal of 1917 Act

The 1917 Act was repealed by the enactment of Organized Crime Control Act on October 15, 1970.

## B.S.A. Blasting Caps Awareness Program

In 1947, the Boy Scouts of America and Institute of Makers of Explosives established a safety awareness program for the disposal and identification of electric and non-electric blasting caps.
* "I'm A Blasting Cap". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. May 1951. p. 30.
* "Don't Touch Blasting Caps". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. May 1953. p. 54.
* "Blasting Caps Are Dangerous! - Leave Them Alone!". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. July 1958. p. 35-C6.
* "Blasting Cap Safety Bookmark". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. February 1969. p. 54.
* "Blasting Cap Safety Bookmark". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. June 1969. p. 64.
* "Blasting Cap Safety Bookmark". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. September 1969. p. 65.
* "Blasting Cap Safety Bookmark". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. October 1969. p. 68.
* "Scouts in Action - Dynamite Blasting Caps". Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America. February 1975. pp. 46–47.