Edit filter log

'{{short description|Brand of binary explosive targets}} {{Distinguish|Tenorite}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}} [[File:Tannerite logo.png|thumb|right]] '''Tannerite''' is a brand of [[binary explosive]] targets used for firearms practice and sold in kit form.<ref name=patE1>{{Citation|title=Binary exploding target, package process and product|date=2013-07-18|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE45440E1/en|accessdate=2018-04-23}}</ref><ref name="Forbes">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/samlemonick/2016/09/19/the-science-of-tannerite-the-explosive-possibly-used-in-the-chelsea-bombs/#6726070c2739 |title= The Science Of Tannerite, The Explosive Possibly Used In The Chelsea Bombs|last=Lemonick |first=Sam |date= September 19, 2016|work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=April 25, 2018 |quote=}}</ref> The targets comprise a combination of [[oxidizer]]s and a fuel, primarily [[aluminium powder]], that is supplied as two separate components that are mixed by the user. The combination is relatively stable when subjected to forces less severe than a high-velocity bullet impact. A hammer blow, being dropped, or impact from a low-velocity bullet or shotgun blast will not initiate a reaction. It is also designed to be non-flammable<ref name=tannerite1>{{cite web|url=https://tannerite.com/about-tannerite-sports/|title=About Tannerite Sports, LLC |website=Tannerite Sports, LLC (official website) |access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> (the reaction cannot be triggered by a burning fuse or electricity), although its explosion can cause other flammable material to ignite. Because it is sold as two separate components, it can be transported and sold in many places without the legal restrictions that would otherwise apply to explosives. The term ''tannerite'' is often used to refer to the mixture itself, and other reactive targets and combination explosives are often [[generic trademark|generically referred to]] as tannerite.<ref name="Forbes" /><ref name=CNN>{{cite web |first1=Mike M. |last1=Ahlers |first2=Rene |last2=Marsh |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/06/us/guns-exploding-targets/ |title=Exploding targets: shooting aid or a 'bomb kit for dummies?' |website=[[CNN]] |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> ==Uses== Tannerite brand targets explode when shot by a [[muzzle velocity|high-velocity bullet]]. Low-velocity bullets and shotgun ammunition will not initiate a reaction.{{r|patE1}} The explosive reaction, once initiated, occurs at a very high velocity, producing a large vapor cloud and a loud report. It is marketed as a target designation that is useful for long-range target practice: the shooter does not need to walk down-range to see if the target has been hit, as the target will react and serve as a highly visible indicator. Binary explosives like Tannerite are also used in some business applications, including commercial blasting, product testing, and special effects.<ref name=ATF1>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/explosives/binary-explosives |title=Binary Explosives |website=[[U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] |access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref> For safety reasons, Tannerite Sports recommends using no more than {{convert|1|lb|kg|adj=off}} of the mixed composition at once, and will sell its largest targets with a size of {{convert|2|lb|kg|adj=off}} to professionals only.<ref name=tannerite2>{{cite web |url=https://tannerite.com/binary-target-faq/#7|title=FAQ's: Got Questions? |website=Tannerite Sports, LLC (official website) |access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> ==Target composition and sale== Tannerite targets are sold in pre-sized quantities. The package includes two containers. An oxidizer composition is contained within one of the containers and a catalyst composition is contained within the other. The product, developed by Daniel Jeremy Tanner, and initially formulated in 1996,<ref name=tannerite1/> consists of two components: a fuel mixed with a catalyst or sensitizer, and a bulk material or oxidizer. The fuel/catalyst mixture is 90% 600-[[Mesh (scale)|mesh]] dark flake [[aluminium]] powder, combined with the catalyst that is a mixture of 5% 325-mesh [[titanium]] sponge and 5% 200-mesh [[zirconium hydride]]{{r|patE1}} (with another patent document<ref name=Pat952>[https://www.google.com/patents/US20030033952 US patent 20030033952] (image)</ref> listing 5% [[zirconium hydroxide]]). The oxidizer is a mixture of 85% 200-mesh [[ammonium nitrate]] and 15% [[ammonium perchlorate]].<ref name=patE1/> The patents on these formulations were applied for on August 20, 2001.{{r|patE1}}<ref name=Pat952/> == United States law == {{See also|Binary explosive#United States law}} In the United States, the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]] advises: "Persons manufacturing explosives for their own personal, non-business use only (e.g., personal target practice) are not required to have a Federal explosives license or permit."{{r|ATF1}} However, "persons falling into certain categories are prohibited from possessing explosive materials".{{r|ATF1}} Those prohibited from possessing explosives include most non-citizens, unlawful drug users and addicts, those convicted or indicted for serious crimes, fugitives, and those who have been officially declared mentally defective or have been committed to a mental institution.{{r|ATF1}} Restrictions imposed at the state and local level also apply.<ref name=tannerite1/>{{r|ATF1}} In [[California]] in particular, a permit may be required to use or possess the product.<ref name=tannerite2/> Various regulations also govern the storage of unmixed explosives. As oxidizers and combustibles, the unmixed components still have some shipping restrictions in the United States.<ref name=USPS1>{{cite web|url=https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_022.htm|title=344 Flammable Solids (Hazard Class 4) |website=[[U.S. Postal Service]] Postal Explorer}}</ref><ref name=USPS2>{{cite web|url=https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c3_023.htm|title=345 Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides (Hazard Class 5) |website=U.S. Postal Service Postal Explorer}}</ref> ==Notable incidents== A Minnesota man was fined $2,583 and sentenced to three years' probation<ref>{{cite news|title=Welch man gets probation for explosion|newspaper=Rochester Post-Bulletin|date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> on charges of detonating an explosive device and unlawful possession of components for explosives after he detonated {{convert|100|lb|abbr=on}} of Tannerite inside the bed of a dump truck by shooting it with a rifle chambered in [[.50 BMG]] from {{convert|300|yd}} away on January 14, 2008, in [[Red Wing, Minnesota]]. The man was on probation when he mixed and shot the Tannerite and was not allowed to possess firearms or explosives.<ref>"[http://www.hastingsstargazette.com/news/1078101-blast-near-red-wing-brings-felony-charges Blast near Red Wing brings felony charges]" ''Hastings Star Gazette'' January 16, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdio.com/kstpImages/childs_criminal_complaint.pdf |title=State of Minnesota Criminal Complaint |accessdate=March 17, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222032916/http://www.wdio.com/kstpImages/childs_criminal_complaint.pdf |archive-date=December 22, 2014|last=Barringer |first=Glen |date=January 15, 2008 |format=PDF }}</ref> A 20-year-old man in [[Busti, New York]], shot {{convert|18|lb|abbr=on}} of Tannerite on January 13, 2013, that sent a particularly "loud boom" through much of southern [[Chautauqua County, New York]], and extending as far south as Pennsylvania, at least 3 miles away. Multiple other sounds of explosions were also reported in the incident. The explosive noise caused numerous phone calls to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police, and other law enforcement in the area.<ref>Eric Tichy, "[http://www.post-journal.com/news/page-one/2013/01/boom-caused-by-shooting-explosives-ban-considered-in-county/ Boom Caused By Shooting Explosives; Ban Considered In County]" ''Post Journal'' January 15, 2013.</ref> On March 24, 2016, David Pressley, 32, of Georgia shot at a riding lawnmower packed with three pounds of Tannerite from 25 yards away, and had his leg severed below the knee in the resulting explosion.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/27/man-loses-leg-shooting-automatic-weapon-at-lawn-mower-packed-with-explosives/ Man loses leg shooting rifle at lawn mower packed with explosives] Peter Holley, Washington Post, March 28, 2016.</ref> The [[2016 New York and New Jersey bombings|September 2016 New York and New Jersey bombings]] involved [[improvised explosive device]]s that contained "a compound similar to a commercial explosive known as Tannerite",{{r|NYT3}} set off by a small charge of unstable [[hexamethylene triperoxide diamine]], which served as a [[detonator]]<ref name=NYT3>[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/nyregion/nyc-nj-explosions-ahmad-khan-rahami.html Ahmad Khan Rahami Is Arrested in Manhattan and New Jersey Bombings] - The New York Times</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chemicals-could-be-a-key-in-investigating-the-new-york-and-new-jersey-bombings/ |title=Chemicals Could Be a Key in Investigating the New York and New Jersey Bombings |journal=[[Scientific American]] |first=Larry |last=Greenemeier |date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=November 27, 2018}}</ref> for the highly stable [[ammonal]]-type secondary charge. On April 23, 2017, Dennis Dickey, an off-duty [[U.S. Border Patrol]] agent, shot a Tannerite target in a [[gender reveal]] celebration on state trust land south of [[Tucson, Arizona]], which accidentally ignited the nearby dry brush and started a {{convert|46000|acre|ha|adj=on}} fire known as the [[List_of_Arizona_wildfires#Notable_fires|Sawmill Fire]]. At the time, winds were gusting up to {{convert|40|mi|km}} per hour and the [[National Weather Service]] had issued a fire watch in the area. By the time the wildfire was mostly contained one week later, it had jumped over the [[Santa Rita Mountains]] and crossed [[Arizona State Route 83|State Route 83]], spreading into the historic [[Empire Ranch]] and the surrounding {{convert|42000|acre|ha|adj=on}} [[Las Cienegas National Conservation Area]]. The estimated damage caused by the blaze was $8.19 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/10/01/a-border-patrol-agent-threw-a-gender-reveal-party-he-ended-up-starting-a-47000-acre-wildfire/ |title=Exploding target pegged as trigger for 46,000-acre Sawmill Fire |first=Antonia |last=Noori Farzan |date= October 1, 2018 |newspaper= [[Washington Post]] |access-date=October 1, 2018 |quote=}}</ref> Dickey pleaded guilty in September 2018 to a misdemeanor violation of [[U.S. Forest Service]] regulations and was sentenced to five years' probation. He also was ordered to pay restitution, with an initial payment of $100,000 (taken from his retirement fund) and monthly payments of $500 per month thereafter for 20 years unless his income changes significantly.<ref name=CNNignited>{{cite web | last=Diaz | first=Andrea | title=Officials release video from gender reveal party that ignited a 47,000-acre wildfire | website=CNN | date=November 28, 2018 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/27/us/arizona-gender-reveal-party-sawmill-wildfire-trnd/index.html | access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> The payments will total $220,000 over the 20 years, after which the case will return to a judge to make a decision about future restitution.<ref name="GVhook">{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Kim | title=Updated: BP agent on hook for $8.2 million in Sawmill Fire | newspaper=[[Green Valley News]] | date=September 29, 2018 | url=https://www.gvnews.com/news/updated-bp-agent-on-hook-for-million-in-sawmill-fire/article_894b83ea-c413-11e8-8f16-7782974f21e7.html | access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The eventual restitution payments could hypothetically be up to $8,188,069.<ref name=CNNignited/><ref name=GVhook/> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} [[Category:Explosives]] [[Category:Binary explosives]]'