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Rocket Hobbyists Prevail Over Feds In Court Case

Posted by kdawson on from the up-up-and-away dept.

Ellis D. Tripp writes "DC District Court judge Reggie Walton has finally ruled in the 9-year old court case pitting the model rocketry community against the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ruling is a 'slam dunk' for the rocketry community, stating that the BATFE ignored scientific evidence and overstepped its bounds by classifying ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP) as an 'explosive.' Effective immediately, the BATFE has no legal jurisdiction over hobby rocket motors, and a federal Low Explosives User's Permit will no longer be needed in order to purchase APCP motors. The full text of the Judge's decision is reproduced at the link."

6 of 546 comments (clear)

  1. Congrats! by nightfire-unique · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For most of my adult life it felt like we were constantly taking steps backward. It's nice to see freedom win over "safety," for a change. May this be the first of many rulings that empower people and encourage the academic spirit.

    --
    A government is a body of people notably ungoverned - AC
    1. Re:Congrats! by NormalVisual · · Score: 5, Insightful

      On what basis are you assuming he's Republican? He's just making an observation. You're absolutely right that Bush and his gang did their best to stretch the limits of government power, but he's also correct in saying that Obama, Pelosi, and the rest of their ilk will be doing the same damn thing. And don't forget a Democrat-controlled Congress was in power for the last two years of Bush's term and did exactly squat to mitigate his abuses.

      Lust for power isn't limited to only Democrats or only Republicans.

      --
      Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
    2. Re:Congrats! by digitalunity · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Actually they weren't even told not to do it again. The rule could be recreated provided the BATFE can comply with administrative procedures for classifying APCP as an explosive. As others have noted, that would be very difficult since APCP isn't really explosive.

      I guess my point is when citizens break BATFE rules, they go to prison, get fined or get probation(or all 3). When the BATFE violates it's own rules, they're simply told "No." and given another shot to do it the way they were supposed to.

      --
      You can't legislate goodness. Let each to his own destiny, by will of his freely made choices.
  2. Re:second amendment rights by Planesdragon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    how long has it been since such primitive weapons as promoted by the NRA has actually really defended a country. .... The Israeli's depend on missiles

    Take away the Israel's rifles, and I guarantee that the terrorists will stop resorting to bombs. They'll just get the rifles, and make sort work of anyone who gets in their way.

    A rifle is used EVERY DAY to defend a country. It's only one tool in the box, but it's an important one. I wager that, still, more battles were won by rifles in Iraq or Afghanistan than were won by missile strikes.

  3. Re:BATFE is redundant by PachmanP · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store not a government agency.

    --
    You're thinking small. Why miniaturize the laser, when we could instead enlarge the sharks? -John Searle
  4. Re:second amendment rights by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And right there, that comment fully sums up the stereotype the rest of the world sees about US gun laws/ideals.

    And yet for all the gun control in Germany they still have mass casualty school shootings. For all the gun control in Russia they still have one of the highest murder rates on the planet.

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.