Subpart B-Definitions of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
Sec
55.11 Meaning of Terms
When used in this part, terms are defined as follows in this section. Words in plural form include the singular, and vice versa, and words indicating the masculine gender include the feminine. The terms "includes" and "including" do not exclude other things not named which are in the same general class or are otherwise within the scope of the term defined.
Act. 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40.
Ammunition. Small arms ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or smokeless propellants designed for use in small arms, including percussion caps, and 3/32 inch and other external burning pyrotechnic hobby fuses. The term does not include black powder.
Approved storage facility. A place where explosive materials are stored, consisting of one or more approved magazines, conforming to the requirements of this part and covered by a license or permit issued under this part.
Artificial barrier. An artificial mound or reverted wall of earth of a minimum thickness of three feet, or any other approved barricade that offers equivalent protection.
ATF Officer. An officer or employee of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) authorized to perform any function relating to the administration or enforcement of this part.
Barricaded. The effective screening of a magazine containing explosive materials from another magazine, a building, a railway, or a highway, either by a natural barricade or by a artificial barricade. To be properly barricaded, a straight line from the top of any sidewall of the magazine containing explosive materials to the eave line of any other magazine or building, or to a point 12 feet above the center of a railway or highway, will pass through the natural or artificial barricade.
Blasting agent. Any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer, that is intended for blasting and not otherwise defined as an explosive; if the finished product, as mixed for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a number 8 test blasting cap when unconfined. A number 8 test blasting cap is one containing 2 grams of a mixture of 80 percent mercury fulminate and 20 percent potassium chlorate, or a blasting cap of equivalent strength. An equivalent strength cap comprises 0.40-0.45 grams of PETN base charge pressed in an aluminum shell with bottom thickness not to exceed 0.03 of an inch, to a specific gravity of not less than 1.4 g/cc, and primed with standard weights of primer depending on the manufacturer.
Bulk salutes. Salute components prior to final assembly into aerial shells, and finished salute shells held separately prior to being packed with other types of special fireworks.
Bullet-sensitive explosive materials. Explosive materials that can be exploded by 150-grain M2 ball ammunition having a nominal muzzle velocity of 2700 fps (824 mps) when fired from a .30 caliber rifle at a distance of 100 ft (30.5 m), measured perpendicular. The test material is at a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees F (21 to 24 degrees C) and is placed against a 1,6 inch (12.4 mm) steel backing plate.
Bureau. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.
Business premises. When used with respect to a manufacturer, importer, or dealer, the property on which explosive materials are manufactured, imported, stored or distributed. The premises include the property where the records of a manufacturer, importer, or dealer are kept if different than the premises where explosive materials are manufactured, imported, stored or distributed. When used with respect to a user of explosive materials, the property on which the explosive materials are received or stored. The premises includes the property where the records of the users are kept if different than the premises where explosive materials are received or stored.
Chief, Firearms and Explosives Licensing Center. The ATF official responsible for the issuance and renewal of licenses and permits under this part.
Common fireworks. Any small firework device designed to produce visible effects by combustion and which must comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, as set forth in title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, parts 1500 and 1507. Some small devices designed to produce audible effects are included, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing 50 mg or less of explosive materials, and aerial devices containing 130 mg or less of explosive materials. Common fireworks are classified as Class C explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). 49 CFR 173.100(r).
Crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Any offense for which the maximum penalty, whether or not imposed, is capital punishment or imprisonment in excess of one year. The term does not include:
Customs officer. Any officer of the Customs Service or any commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard, or any agent or other person authorized to perform the duties of an officer of the Customs Service.
Dealer. Any person engaged in the business of distributing explosive materials at wholesale or retail.
Detonator. Any device containing a detonating charge that is used for initiating detonation in an explosive. The term includes, but is not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating cord delay connectors, and nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting caps.
Director. The Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.
Distribute. To sell, issue, give, transfer, or otherwise dispose of. The term does not include a mere change of possession from a person to his agent or employee in connection with the agency or employment.
Executed under penalties of perjury. Signed with the required declaration under the penalties of perjury as provided on or with respect to the return, form, or other document or, where no form of declaration is required, with the declaration:
Explosive actuated device. Any tool or special mechanized device which is actuated by explosives, but not a propellent actuated device. Explosive materials.
Explosives, blasting agents, water gels and detonators. Explosive materials include, but are not limited to, all items in the List of provided for in § 55.23.
Explosives. Any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The term includes, but is not limited to, dynamite and other high explosives, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord, and igniters.
Fireworks. Any composition or device designed to produce a visible or an audible effect by combustion, deflagration, or detonation, and which meets the definition of "common fireworks" or "special fireworks" described by U.S. Department of Transportation in 49 CFR 173.88 and 173.100.
Fireworks mixing building. Any building or area used for mixing and blending pyrotechnic compositions except wet sparkler mix.
Fireworks nonprocess building. Any office building, fireworks plant warehouse, or other building or area in a fireworks plant where no fireworks, pyrotechnic compositions or explosive materials are processed or stored.
Fireworks plant. All land and buildings thereon used for or in connection with the assembly or processing of fireworks, including warehouses used with or in connection with fireworks plant operations.
Fireworks plant warehouse. Any building or structure used exclusively for the storage of materials which are neither pyrotechnic compositions nor explosive materials used to assemble fireworks.
Fireworks process building. Any mixing building; any building in which pyrotechnic compositions or explosive materials is pressed or otherwise prepared for finished and assembly; or any finishing or assembly building.
Fireworks shipping building. A building used for the packing of assorted special fireworks into shipping cartons for individual public displays and for the loading of packaged displays for shipment to purchasers.
Flash powder. An explosive material intended to produce an audible report and a flash of light when ignited and typically containing potassium perchlorate, sulfur or antimony sulfide, and aluminum metal.
Fugitive from justice. Any person who has fled from the jurisdiction of any court of record to avoid prosecution for any crime or to avoid giving testimony in any criminal proceeding. The term also includes any person who has been convicted of any crime and has fled to avoid imprisonment.
Hardwood. Oak, maple, ash, hickory, or other hard wood, free from loose knots, spaces, or similar defects.
Highway. Any public street, alley, or road. Public highways of class A to D are highways with an average traffic volume of 3,000 or less vehicles per day as specified in American Civil Engineering Practice (Abbett, Vol. 1, Table 46, Section 3-74, 1956 Edition, John Wiley and Sons).
Importer. Any person engaged in the business of importing or bringing explosive materials into the United States for purposes of sale or distribution.
Indictment. Includes an indictment or information in any court under which a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year may be prosecuted.
Inhabited building. Any building regularly occupied in whole or in part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store, or other structure where people are accustomed to assemble, except any building occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage, or use of explosive materials.
Interstate or foreign commerce. Commerce between any place in a State and any place outside of that State, or within any possession of the United States or the District of Columbia, and commerce between places within the same State but through any place outside of that State.
Licensed dealer. A dealer licensed under this part.
Licensed importer. An importer licensed under this part.
Licensed manufacturer. A manufacturer licensed under this part to engage in the business of manufacturing explosive materials for purposes of sale or distribution or for his own use.
Licensed manufacturer-limited. A manufacturer licensed under this part to engage in the business of manufacturing explosive materials for his own use and not for sale or distribution.
Licensee. Any importer, manufacturer, or dealer licensed under this part.
Magazine. Any building or structure, other than an explosives manufacturing building, used for storage of explosive materials.
Manufacturer. Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing explosive materials for purposes of sale or distribution or for his own use.
Manufacturer-limited. Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing explosive materials for his own use and not for sale or distribution.
Mass detonation (mass explosion). Explosive materials mass detonate (mass explode) when a unit or any part of a larger quantity of explosive material explodes and causes all or a substantial part of the remaining material to detonate or explode.
Natural barricade. Natural features of the ground, such as hills, or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the magazine when the trees are bare of leaves.
Number 8 test blasting cap. (See definition of "blasting agent.")
Permittee. Any user of explosives for lawful purpose, who has obtained a user permit under this part.
Person. Any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.
Plywood. Exterior, construction grade (laminated wood) plywood.
Propellant actuated device. Any tool or special mechanized device or gas generator system which is actuated by a propellant or which releases and directs work through a propellant charge.
Pyrotechnic compositions. A chemical mixture which, upon burning and without explosion, produces visible, brilliant displays, bright lights, or sounds.
Railway. Any steam, electric, or other railroad or railway which carries passengers for hire.
Region. A geographical region of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Regional director (compliance). The principal regional official responsible for administering regulations in this part.
Salute. An aerial shell, classified as a special firework, that contains a charge of flash powder and is designed to produce a flash of light and a loud report as the pyrotechnic effect.
Screen barricade. Any barrier that will contain the embers and debris from a fire or deflagration in a process building, thus preventing propagation of fire to other buildings or areas. Such barriers shall be constructed of metal roofing, 1/4 to 1/6 inch (6 to 13 mm) mesh screen, or equivalent material. The barrier extends from floor level to a height such that a straight line from the top of any side wall of the donor building to the eave line of any exposed building intercepts the screen at a point not less than 5 feet (1.5 m) from the top of the screen. The top 5 feet (1.5 m) of the screen is inclined towards the donor building at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees.
Softwood. Fir, pine, or other soft wood, free from loose knots, spaces, or similar defects.
Special fireworks. Large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. This term includes, but is not limited to, salutes containing more than 2 grains (130 mg) of explosive materials, aerial shells containing more than 40 grams of pyrotechnic compositions, and other display pieces which exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as "common fireworks." Special fireworks are classified as Class B explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 49 CFR 173.88(d).
State. A State of the United States. The term includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States.
State of residence. The State in which an individual regularly resides or maintains his home. Temporary stay in a State does not make the State of temporary stay the State of residence.
U.S.C. The United States Code.
User-limited permit. A user permit valid only for a single purchase transaction, a new permit being required for a subsequent purchase transaction.
User permit. A permit issued to a person authorizing him:
Water gels. Explosives or blasting agents that contain a substantial proportion of water
(18 U.S.C. 847 (84 Stat. 959); 18 U.S.C. 926 (82 Stat. 1226) [Amended by TD. ATF- 92, 46 FR 46916, Sept. 23, 1981; TD. ATF-200, 50 FR 10497, Mar. 15, 1985; TD. ATF-290, 54 FR 53053, Dec. 27, 1989; TD. ATF-293, 55 FR 3720, Feb. 5, 1990]