Opinion ID: 463821
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Explosive Under 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 844

Text: 17 Each of the appellants urge us to reverse his conviction under Count III for the November, 1981, incident on the ground that gasoline does not constitute an explosive within the meaning of 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 844 (West 1976). 18 At the time of the alleged offense, section 844(i) provided: 19 Whoever maliciously damages or destroys ... by means of an explosive, any building ... used in interstate or foreign commerce ... shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years or fined not more than $10,000 or both.... 20 Other circuits have cited United States v. Hewitt, 663 F.2d 1381, 1389 (11th Cir.1981), for the proposition that the Eleventh Circuit deems gasoline to be an explosive within the meaning of this version of section 844(i). See, e.g., United States v. Avery, 717 F.2d 1020, 1023 (6th Cir.1983). This issue was not, however, before the court in Hewitt, and presents a question of first impression for this court. 21 Title 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 844(j) defines the term explosive for purposes of section 844(i) as follows: 22 For purposes of section [ ] ... (i) of this section, the term 'explosive' means gunpowders, powders used for blasting, all forms of high explosives, blasting materials, fuzes (other than electric circuit breakers), detonators, and other detonating agents, smokeless powders, other explosive or incendiary devices within the meaning of paragraph (5) of section 232 of this title, and any chemical compounds, mechanical mixture, or device that contains any oxidizing and combustible units, or other ingredients, in such proportions, quantities, or packing that ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion, or by detonation of the compound, mixture, or device or any part thereof may cause an explosion. 23 Section 232, which section 844(j) incorporates by reference, further defines the term explosive or incendiary device as follows: 24 (5) The term 'explosive or incendiary device' means (A) dynamite and all other forms of high explosives, (B) any explosive bomb, grenade, missile, or similar device, and (C) any incendiary bomb or grenade, fire bomb, or similar device, including any device which (i) consists of or includes a breakable container including a flammable liquid or compounds, and a wick composed of any material which, when ignited, is capable of igniting such flammable liquid or compound, and (ii) can be carried or thrown by one individual acting alone. 25 The government's expert witness, an explosive enforcement officer with ATF, conceded that gasoline is not ordinarily an explosive device. He testified, however, that uncontained gasoline flowing from a punctured container constitutes an incendiary device. 26 The expert's testimony is sufficient to bring the use of uncontained gasoline within the meaning of explosive under 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 844(i) (West 1976). Appellants stipulated to the witness's expertise. The jury was entitled to credit his testimony. See United States v. Avery, 717 F.2d 1020, 1022-24 (6th Cir.1983). Likewise, common sense tells us that gasoline used in the manner shown in this case becomes a part of an incendiary device. 27 In 1982, in response to the very argument which appellants assert here, Congress amended the statute to specifically prescribe arson by means of fire or an explosive. Anti-Arson Act of October 12, 1982, Pub.L. No. 97-298, Sec. 2 (codified at 18 U.S.C.A. Sec. 844(i) (West Supp.1983)). 2 Since the legislature has resolved this issue, it is one we will not see again.