Proposed Bill Will Regulate Black Powder In Wake of Boston Massacre!

They're at it again. I only wish this were a surprise... Unfortunately, from the second I found that the explosive material in question was black powder, it was obvious that legislation would come out of it.

On April 17th, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg issued a statement to the public, saying that he intends to pass a bill or amendment in order to regulate black powder, along with other forms of "explosive components" in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. This bill would require that all purchasers of black powder (and god knows what else), would require a background check. Very similar to the recent legislation proposed, which required a background check on all firearm purchases.

"Of the 27.8 Billion spend each year on firearms, ammunition, clothing, reloading, equipment, optics, and accessories by the American public, only about 7-8% of all gun owners reload their own ammunition on a regular basis. This means that only a relatively small amount of people purchase black powder explosives each year, and in comparison to other flammable, explosive, and dangerous household products such as fertilizer and gasoline, the singling out of black powder for stricter regulation bears little statistical evidence that it's use in criminal activity is widespread".  Article here, from examiner.com

I can't help but agree with Ken Schortgen Jr., the writer of the article. It's aggravating to have meaningless legislation pass when the vast majority who are using the item are good, law abiding citizens, with the usual exception of a small few. The only thing I may disagree with is that the 7-8% statistic may be broader than it is in reality. Borrowing from someone who commented below the article, it is likely that 1/10th of 1% by all gun owners, which I think may be in the ball park. The man mentioned re-enacters and cowboy action shooters. I would also like to throw in the small minority of firearm owners who use muzzleloaders for sport/recreation.

 So, for a moment, think about that. Think about the small demographic of firearm owners that are using black powder, and even the small demographic of gun owners that reload smokeless. How many gun owners do you know that are re-enactors or take part in such events? How about people who regularly take part in cowboy action shooting. Again, not many. However, the small minority that do such things ARE the ones supporting the market for black powder. Same with smokeless powder more or less, but that's going a little off topic.

Frank Lautenberg is really missing the mark with this legislation, considering far less than 1% of firearm owners are reloading or using black powder for any purpose, and as was said above, there is no real evidence that these substances are in widespread use by criminals, let alone their "weapons of choice".

What I fear the most is that this is just another attempt to undermine and take advantage of a good disaster to further a political agenda.