EXPLOSIONS IN NEW CANEY AREA

Last weekend reports of explosions near the Harris County and Montgomery County line. Last night reports of explosions behind Roman Forest. Sunday evening explosions again reported west of the freeway near New Caney. With all these fire and police have not been able to find the source.

Many think it may be something called Tannerite, an legal explosive used for target practice.

Tannerite is a binary explosive used primarily as a target for firearms practice. Tannerite is unique in that it is exceptionally stable when subjected to less severe forces such as a hammer blow or being dropped. It is more than 1000 times safer than ordinary black powder since it is not flammable and can not be initiated by any kind of flame or electricity.  It is supplied as two powders which are combined to produce the explosive. Tannerite is a trademarked name, and binary exploding targets are a patented invention by Daniel J. Tanner/Oregon.

Tannerite Company recommends using 0.5-pound (0.23 kg) preparations of the substance, which should detonate when shot by a high-powered rifle. Small caliber rim-fire or slow moving pistol ammunition will not initiate a detonation.

Tannerite detonations occur at a very high velocity, producing a large explosion and cloud of water vapor. It may be useful for persons who are firing at long ranges; in this scenario, a long-range rifle shooter places targets downrange, retreats to his firing position, and fires. The shooter does not have to walk down range to see if he has a hit, the Tannerite will detonate and serve as an indicator.

Since the two components are not explosive until mixed, they can legally be purchased in the USA without a license.  They can be legally used for sporting purposes in conjunction with small arms, just like black powder and other exempt sporting powder.

The federal government, not the state, governs the manufacture of explosives. They specifically exempt the need for an explosives  manufacturing license in five separate statutes. In the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Publication 5400. Q&A section, question #48 expressly addresses that a license that a license is not needed for personal, non-commercial manufacture and use of binary explosives.