More ATF woes
In what is turning out to be stellar last few months for the ATF in terms of getting slapped around, comes the latest. Now, a circuit court has ruled that the ATF is full of crap with respect to its desire to regulate the engines used in hobby rocketry:
The problem in this case is that ATFE’s explanation for its determination that APCP deflagrates lacks any coherence. We therefore owe no deference to ATFE’s purported expertise because we cannot discern it. ATFE has neither laid out a concrete standard for classifying materials along the burn-deflagrate-detonate continuum, nor offered data specific to the burn speed of APCP when used for its ‘common or primary purpose.’ On this record, the agency’s decision cannot withstand judicial review.
Xavier and TriggerFinger have more.
Past ATF troubles:
An agent testified in court that the NFRTR (registry of NFA weapons) was deficient
They are currently experiencing significant budget troubles attributable to bad management
They’re under investigation for breaking the law at Richmond, VA gun shows.
February 13th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Model rocketeers have been waiting a long time for this. The ATFE simply made a power grab under specious, retro-active auspices. It’s good to see the court side with consumers. Watch for mid- and high-power hobby rocketry to really take off now. Er, so to speak.
March 17th, 2006 at 10:19 am
[…] A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; An agent testified under oath that the NFRTR (the NFA weapons database) was corrupt; Having budget issues due to mismanagement; Being investigated for breaking he law at Virginia gun shows. […]
August 7th, 2006 at 8:23 am
[…] A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]
October 12th, 2006 at 9:08 am
[…] The past year or so has been bad for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The story so far: A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]
December 26th, 2006 at 11:57 am
[…] Third, will somebody please do something about the ATF? I’m not calling for them to be disbanded like the purists. The fact is, we are going to have federal gun laws. And, if we do, someone will enforce them. Their recent troubles include: A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]
February 13th, 2007 at 10:00 am
[…] A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]
June 22nd, 2007 at 11:47 am
[…] the ATF got a wild hair once to regulate model rockets. Thankfully, they were put in their place. They have also issued opinions on potato guns and flaming tennis balls that may qualify the items […]
July 26th, 2007 at 8:26 am
[…] A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]
October 25th, 2007 at 8:36 am
[…] A circuit court smacks them down for their ruling on model rockets; […]