http://www.tri-cityherald.com/24hour/nation/story/913074p-6360643c.html Model rocketeers fear pastime will fizzle under new anti-terrorism regulations This story was published Tuesday, June 10th, 2003 By JAMES HANNAH, Associated Press MECHANICSBURG, Ohio (AP) - Model rocket enthusiasts say new government restrictions aimed at terrorists threaten to ground a hobby that can get youngsters fired up about science. Homeland security regulations that took effect in May require a background check, fingerprinting and a $25 federal permit for people wanting to buy high-powered rocket engines. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the rocket propellants could be used as explosives or as part of explosive devices, and it wants to know who is buying the engines. Homer Hickam Jr., who built model rockets as a boy in Coalwood, W.Va., and went on to work for NASA and write the book that inspired the movie "October Sky," has urged Congress to exempt hobbyists. "Rocketry is a hobby that teaches almost every science you can think of," he said from Huntsville, Ala. "Kids love things that make noise and go whoosh. This is an opportunity to make science exciting." Ross Dunton, who sells rockets from his store in this Ohio town, figured the regulations already have snuffed out hundreds of dollars in sales. "I haven't been able to sell one of what used to be unregulated motors," Dunton said. "The hobby was expanding and expanding, growing like you wouldn't believe until this came along." Tim Lehr, manager of the rocket department at Al's Hobby Shop in Chicago, predicted he will be out of a job within a year: "They're just basically going to eliminate the hobby. You're not going to bring any new blood in." ATF spokesman Andrew Lluberes in Washington said permits have been required for years for people who transport the rocket fuel across state lines. He also said 90 percent of hobbyists use rockets that are smaller than those being regulated. "This is nowhere near the onerous regulation or situation that it's being painted out to be," Lluberes said. Under the regulations, anyone buying or handling rocket engines that contain about 2 1/4 ounces or more of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant will be required to obtain a permit. Applicants must agree to have their storage areas inspected every three years. Hobbyists question whether the propellant would be of much use to terrorists. "I can walk down to the local gun store and buy a case of bullets and have immensely more power than one of these rockets," said Randy Kastl, manager of the Hobby Shop in Dayton, which discontinued its line of high-powered rockets because of the rules. Some model rockets are only a foot or two high. Others are taller than an adult, soar miles into the sky and parachute back to Earth. Hickam warned that the new regulations could prompt people to try to build their own rockets - and "there you have a recipe for disaster." Anthony Ward, a 15-year-old at Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio, attended the October Sky Festival last year in Coalwood with his science teacher. He said he wants to become an engineer and would like to move on to bigger rockets but will not go through the hassle of the regulations. "It's going to make it harder for kids my age who want to pursue that kind of launching," he said.
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