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News Release
For Release:  March 27, 2003
Web address: enzi.senate.gov    	

Washington, D.C. - Hobby rocketeers who want to send their crafts to
the skies will not have to first navigate through clouds of red tape
and federal government permits if U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.,
succeeds in passing a bill he introduced today. Enzi's bill, S. 724,
would exempt users of certain model rocket propellents from explosive
permit requirements, much like antique firearm users are exempted from
permit requirements for black powder use. "Model rocket enthusiasts
across the country and even across the ocean are very worried about
how enforcement of regulations and the passage of new restrictions in
the Homeland Security Act could negatively affect them. It was not
Congress' intent to harm model rocketry with passage of the Homeland
Security Act. My bill would simply assure that people can go on
enjoying their hobby without having to jump through a lot of needless
regulatory hoops," said Enzi.

Hobbyists are most concerned with added requirements regarding the use
of Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant (APCP), which is
classified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) as an
explosive. Before 1997 the BATF exempted APCP used for consumer rocket
motors from the permits required for other substances on the
explosives list. Since that time only rocket motors with less than
62.5 grams of APCP have been exempt. Handlers of rocket motors that
contained more than 62.5 grams of APCP were required to get permits to
purchase and transport the motors between states. Now, with the
passage of the Homeland Security Act the permits are scheduled to be
applied to those who purchase and transport the motors within a state.

"Some shipping companies are refusing to transport rocket motors
because of added requirements. This hurts the shipping company itself,
small business owners who operate hobby shops and the kids and adults
who build and launch model rockets," said Enzi. "People who build and
launch model rockets for fun aren't the bad guys. They shouldn't have
to go through a rigorous set of obstacles in order to enjoy their
hobby. We should be encouraging youth to take up this mind-expanding
activity, not squelching initiative."

Enzi said the current 62.5 gram APCP exemption is still too
restrictive. "We shouldn't get caught up in an arbitrary number. Many
legitimate hobbyists use rocket motors that contain more propellent
than would be exempted under BATF rules. Many small businesses sell
motors of varying sizes including those over the current BATF limit.
Some trucking companies are afraid to ship rocket motors that contain
any APCP propellant," said Enzi. "My bill would provide a clear
exemption for a worthy hobby that brings joy to a lot of people."

Enzi took great care to write the bill so the exemption would only
apply to legitimate hobby use of rocket propellent. The exemption
would only apply to non-detonable rocket propellant. There are some
high-energy APCP composites that have additional chemicals in their
composition that make them detonate, instead of burn at a moderate
rate. The high-energy APCP is not used in amateur rocketry and would
not be exempted under Enzi's bill.

A group of at least seven other senators has already signed on as
cosponsors of Enzi's bill. Enzi plans to speak on the Senate floor in
the coming days to encourage even more support from his colleagues.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for
consideration.

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on the rocketry regulation crisis, updated daily