Ahem. Are potatazookas illegal?

[Maddy McCall]

My son wants me to take him to Lowes to get some PVC, so that he can build a potato gun.

Anyone know if these things are legal??

[RevCheesehead]

1. Potatos are legal everywhere - except

of course, around Dan Quayle. :evilgrin:

A Taterzooka? Cool. :)

[Maddy McCall]

2. LOL!

[RevCheesehead]

3. I think he should opt for a Pretzel-zooka.

Ya know.. :evilgrin:

[Maddy McCall]

4. And we can mount it on a Segway!

:D

[RevCheesehead]

5. That would be fun!

Is the pretzeldent coming to visit in your area?

[Maddy McCall]

15. I hope not.

:D

[AccessGranted]

6. Probably.....It's Still a Weapon, Right?

Get him a hotdog shooter instead. I saw one on television. It was funny.

[Maddy McCall]

7. It shoots potatoes out of it.

You use the barrel to core the potato, and then you ignite hair spray in the rear of it, and KABOOM! It shoots the potato core 300 ft. into the air.

[AccessGranted]

9. I Know How it Works, But. . .

If someone got shot with a potato at pointblank range, they'd be pretty jacked up, wouldn't they? Don't mind me, I don't like things that shoot. Ex-military, what can I say?

[-..__...]

10. Funny until someone loses an eye!

Why not go for the gold and build a PVC flamethrower?



http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=f827c9678e6c12e5db992c721eef704b&threadid=1107178&perpage=40&pagenumber=1

Perfectly legal (State laws notwithstanding), and a real attention getter at family gatherings and school science fairs.

[Maddy McCall]

11. Cool! Where can I get plans for that?!

[-..__...]

8. Incooooooming!

The Feds say go for it.

Your State laws might say diffrently.

"(A29) Are "potato guns" or "spud guns" legal?

"Potato guns" or "spud guns" generally consist of sections of PVC plastic tubing and fittings and are designed to launch a muzzle-loaded potato (or other similar-size projectile) using hair spray or other aerosol vapor as a propellant. The propellant is ignited by means of a barbecue grill igniter or other similar ignition system.

Section 5845(f), Title 26, United States Code, regulates certain weapons as "destructive devices" which are subject to the registration and tax provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA). Section 5845(f)(2) includes within the definition of "destructive device" any type of weapon which will or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel of which has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter. However, section 5845(f)(3) excludes from the definition of "destructive device" any device which is neither designed or redesigned for use as a weapon and any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device. The definition of "destructive device" in the Gun Control Act (GCA), 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, is identical to that in the NFA.

ATF has previously examined "potato guns" or "spud guns" as described above and has generally determined that such devices using potatoes as projectiles and used solely for recreational purposes are not weapons and do not meet the definition of "firearm" or "destructive device" in either the NFA or GCA. However, ATF has classified such devices as "firearms" and "destructive devices" if their design, construction, ammunition, actual use, or intended use indicate that they are weapons. For example, ATF has classified such devices as "firearms" and "destructive devices" if they are designed and used to expel flaming tennis balls.

(Well, that certainly would ruin my fun) :-(


Possession and use of "potato guns" or "spud guns" may be restricted under State laws and local ordinances. Further, any person intending to make, use, or transfer any such device must be aware that they have a potential for causing serious injury or damage.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a29

Edited to correct grammer.

[Maddy McCall]

13. I guess I'd better buy some protective glasses, then.

Wonder what kind of gun can expel a flaming tennis ball? I'll have to look into that. :D

[JVS]

12. At the very least launching a potato a quarter mile is littering.

There also has to be some kind of endangerment stuff at work

[Maddy McCall]

14. I'll be littering and endangering on my own property.

I've got over 40 acres.

[JVS]

16. Is your kid 18?

Poorly made potato-cannons could explode and injure a kid. If your kid is under 18 you might be found negligent. So, make the cannon and tell your kid that it is illegal for him to use it, but not you.

[Maddy McCall]

19. I'm going to fire the thing.

He's going to stand there in awe, watching as a particle of potato goes flying through the air. Unless I can figure out how to launch those flaming tennis balls.

[Fox Mulder]

17. To me, it's not a weapon until...

you can shoot pumpkins out of it. :evilgrin:

[Maddy McCall]

20. I've seen those on tv.

I'd love to see one in "real life." :D

[WCGreen]

18. Tennis ball zookas are probably less likely

to cause damage.....

Just sayin' from experience, ya know....

[Maddy McCall]

21. What if they are on fire?

Second question: How can do you catch them on fire?

:hi:

[WCGreen]

22. Lighter fluid....

But they are easier to aim as well....

[hickman1937]

23. I think it's a potato cannon.

The next step in a pumpkin chunker. There are actual contests for this shit. Have fun.

[Maddy McCall]

24. I've seen the pumpkin cannon thing on TV.

I saw the potato gun demonstrated in my college speech class. It was a hoot.

[hickman1937]

25. I was wrong. Punkin chukin does not use explosives.

At least not in Delaware.
http://www.geocities.com/heartland/acres/8558/

[BensMom]

26. Some of the best fun I have ever had

I love those things. My brother has a big one at his cabin. He shoots it out into the lake - about 400 yards and loud. The park ranger had to come see. He liked it and said as long "as you are careful..."

Now when we go up to the cabin, bags of potatoes are mysteriously left at my brothers door..offerings from the neighbors..

[HeeBGBz]

27. My dad used to make em

He showed me how once. Shot some mighty spud missles.

Don't know if they are legal or not though.