Are Flash-bangs legal?

[Chris Phelps]

I am assuming this is NFA related... If it isn't, I am sorry.

Flash-bangs are non-lethal, so they could not, In my opinion, fall under the WMD catagory. Are they legal to own?

[nbkky71]

The GCA of 1968 lists grenades as destructive devices. A flashbang is a hand-thrown explosive device, albeit less/non-lethal.

[kozak6]

I suppose they would be legal to own if you paid the $200 Destructive Device tax on each one, although you will never find a manufacturer or dealer willing to sell to a civilian.

[pickpocket]

They are not "WMD"...however,

They ARE illegal, especially if you're talking about military ordnance.

[Chris Phelps]

Nah, I was thinking about building my own... just flash though... thats nothing more than magnesium. It can be purchased incredibly cheap, since it was used as a flash powder for cameras in the old days. Since those flash devices are legal, it was worth asking about weather or not it would me legal to make a device which would flash the same way... but portable. I still think it may be, since it is not a destructive device, nor could it be employed as such.





EDIT: on a somewhat similar note... does anyone know of a handheld strobe (emergency strobe) that you can set to only flash once?

[caz223]

An old style flash bulb?
Are you really too young to remember them?
I'm not really sure they would be very effective without the BANG, though.
http://www.meggaflash.com/
The 330 sure sounds bright, 140,000 lumens /second
Burns for 1.75 seconds.
I have a different suggestion, however. Let me point you in a different direction.
http://www.cyberscholar.com/ceknowho...&DivID=4&Let=p
Flash powder is (Well, kinda.) legal, but it is the main ingredient in M80/M250/M1000 BOOM type firecrackers, which don't happen to be legal in my state, so it varies.

[Chris Phelps]

An old style flash bulb?
Are you really too young to remember them?
I'm not really sure they would be very effective without the BANG, though.
http://www.meggaflash.com/
The 330 sure sounds bright, 140,000 lumens /second
Burns for 1.75 seconds.
I have a different suggestion, however. Let me point you in a different direction.
http://www.cyberscholar.com/ceknowho...&DivID=4&Let=p
Flash powder is (Well, kinda.) legal, but it is the main ingredient in M80/M250/M1000 BOOM type firecrackers, which don't happen to be legal in my state, so it varies.

haha, too young to remember them? I wasn't even alive, its not a matter of remembering. Im 24 (born in 1981 for those who dont want to do the math).

I'm not looking for anything that has a burn time or anything like that... just want the quick flash. That is why I am considering strobes.

Your second link is pretty impressive, but (ironically) I am not looking for anything to repel attackers or anything like that. I want something that simulates a flash bang so I can practice room clearing techniques with a couple friends of mine. I liked the idea of a homemade flash device because it would give us some sort of concequence in case we entered the room before it went off. I have many ways in which I could simulate the sound, but it just doesnt seem right anymore... and throwing tin cans through the door then yelling flash is getting old.

[shortydog]

i bought some " night vision killers " at the last gun show.
thought they were more of a gimmick than anything, but man those things will blind you.

[Chris Phelps]

i bought some " night vision killers " at the last gun show.
thought they were more of a gimmick than anything, but man those things will blind you.

You peaked my interest... How do they operate? What do they do? (aside from the obvious.)

[shortydog]

You peaked my interest... How do they operate? What do they do? (aside from the obvious.)

they were 7 or 8 bucks for four of them.

you light the fuse and it will give a very bright strobe affect every second for 30 seconds.

do not look directly at them.i tried a couple in my back yard and some of my neighbers came out thinking i was welding something.

[Chris Phelps]

Crap... if only they flashed just once.



Oh well... on to plan B... I'm going to design a flash-bang simulator using a timer circuit board, 2 strobes, and a chunk of clear tube.

[pickpocket]

I don't believe the magnesium flash-simulators would be illegal. You'd need to check with your State's laws about explosives. I almost got arrested in HS for trying to build a smoke-bomb. Could have just been trying to scare me, though...who knows. I certainly don't.

Just remember, if you choose to use the magnesium that it burns REALLY HOT and is a serious fire hazard. It's also going to take it a few seconds to burn out, I'm pretty sure it's not going to produce the kind of "flash" that you're looking for.

My suggestion? Go to the fireworks stand and get some M60's. They'll work just fine for training purposes, unless you're doing force-on-force...then you'll just have to use some imagination.

[shortydog]

this might help.

http://www.firefox-fx.com/

[dragonfire]

OK flash bangs are illegal,but making a flash device with magnesium powder no.You can apply for a batf permit which allows you to make explosives,and pyrotechnic displays,and buy the chemicals needed.If you dont have one the materials get a little pricey