Tannerite Scare

Apparently a State Senator in Indiana is all concerned about tannerite. I’m no expert on explosives, but isn’t tannerite a binary explosive? So what is he going to do? Regulate the precursors? All are common chemicals, and at least ammonium nitrate is already regulated if purchased in large amounts. No one is ordering tannerite mixed; that requires hazmat transport, which is expensive. People are ordering the precursors then mixing. The feds love regulating everything, and I think the reason even they haven’t made a move against tannerite is the understanding that such a move would be completely pointless for someone actually intending harm.

6 thoughts on “Tannerite Scare”

  1. “I think the reason even they haven’t made a move against tannerite is the understanding that such a move would be completely pointless for someone actually intending harm.”

    That’s never stopped them before…

  2. What makes this stupid State Senator more dangerous is the fact he is the No. 2 Republican in a Republican majority State Senate. If he were just some backbencher, who would care. But Jim Merritt is in a position to push legislation through.

    We need to nip this one in the bud.

  3. Just about all Walmart stores, and many other stores, sell commom household products which contain precursor chemicals or ingredients that can be culled, and then used to make some really nasty things that can go boom, spontaneously go up in flames, or make some unsuspecting person’s drink or meal their very last drink or meal. All it takes is a trip to one of these stores, some ill will, and some research if needed.

    Let’s also not forget that many different types of hand tools and power tools could be used to harm and kill somebody lest they fall into the wrong hands.

    Should our nanny-stater politicians just legislate all of these things off the store shelves, lock them up in government-run warehouses, and then introduce a permit-to-purchase system for them so that we can feel “safer” or whatever? If they actually did do that, then let them pay for all the labor and materials the next time your wife tells you that she wants something done to fix something on your house.

    “Sorry honey, I didn’t get a response back on my application to buy a hammer and some nails yet, so it looks like I won’t be able to start putting shingles on the new roof over the addition this weekend. Also, your bleach-purchase permit didn’t come in today’s mail either, so maybe we should hold off on cleaning the bathtub in the kid’s bathroom until it does.”

  4. I’m reminded of the time I went to the hardware store as kid and picked up saltpeter from the canning section, sulphur from gardening section, and a bag of charcoal. No one batted an eye.

    1. Most people don’t have a clue what they could be made into either, or how easy it really is.

      And that’s a good thing in my book.

  5. Working late second shift for seventeen years, I’d often hit the 24hr Walmart to get my weekly groceries and household stuff. Once I needed to buy a new shovel and, on a whim, also picked up some contractor grade garbage bags, duct tape, and bleach.

    I was so disappointed in the obliviousness of my cashier….

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