Model Rocketry has been crippled by an incorrect interpetation of a new Federal Law!
The Homeland Security Act that was signed into law last year is about to go into effect. Since it was rushed through congress so fast, most folks didn't realize that it has inadvertently cut the legs out from under model rocketry. So if you ever want to fly a model rocket in the future, I'm asking your immediate help.
The new regulations in the law have caused shipping companies like UPS to stop carrying model rockets. Now they would have to get explosive permits for every single employee that comes in contact with a box of rocket
motors, as well as beefing up security at their shipping terminals. UPS felt that it is too cost prohibitive to be in compliance with the new laws. So for UPS it was simpler to just stop shipping model rocket motors.
Most all small model rocket motors (like the ones you can get at your local hobby shop) and all larger sizes motors are shipped with UPS or FedEx. But with the ATF's interpetation of the new law, manufacturers and distributors won't be able to ship motors to stores and to customers. The law is effectively shutting down model rocketry. Afterall, how will you be able to fly a model rocket if you can't get a rocket motor?
I don't believe that congress intended to kill rocketry, but that will be the effect from the implementation of the law.
What can you do to help?
This week, Senator Mike Enzi (Wyoming) will introduce into Congress a bill that would make "technical corrections" to the Homeland Security Act. Specifically it would exempt model rocketry from being regulated to the tough standards of the Safe Explosives Act. Then model rocket motors would be treated the same as fireworks on the 4th of July.
Model Rocketry needs your time and effort. Specifically I ask that you to call your State's Senator to tell him to support the legislation from Senator Enzi. Also ask that they act quickly to move this legislation to the top of the
agenda.
I also need you to let everyone know to do the same thing.
Please contact:
* Friends
* Teachers
* Boy scout leaders
* Civil Air Patrol Squadrons
* Anyone involved in Youth groups like 4-H, and/or summer camps
If you have know anyone at NASA, anyone in the Military, or professors at universities, let them know that the one program that motivates millions of students is being killed. Model Rocketry is a safe activity (that already has many safeguards in place) that inspires students to pursue careers in engineering and science. What will be the future of NASA if they can't find engineers?
Model Rocketry is the VERY FIRST step into Space. Don't let the Homeland Security Act kill this important teaching tool that motivates students to learn about space and science.
What else can you do?
If you ever have subscribed to a e-zine newsletter, please ask the person that publishes it to send out a urgent message asking for support of this important legislation.
If you know of anyone in the newspaper, radio, or television industries, let them know that this would make a great human interest news story.
Also, point them to the web site listed below where they can get more information about this topic. The more news media that pick up on this story, the better our chances of motivating Congress to act quickly.
You can also do what I've been doing the last few days. That is visiting every web site of any organization that uses rocketry as part of their "space education" curriculum. Just let them know what has changed in the last few months, and that their curriculum is in jeopardy. Then ask if they
can add their voice to our cause, and let their members know that they can help too.
We need to get this urgent message out to the nation as quickly as possible. The Homeland Security Act is being phased at this very minute, and rocket motors are not making it to customers. It may be just a matter of weeks that many model rocketry manufacturers will have to close their facilities because they can't get their products to customers. If you wait too long, it will be too late.
http://www.space-rockets.com/congress.html
