BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its first meeting on the first day of December, with several discussion points centered around ‘exploding targets,’ and the possible regulation of their use in Belfast. 

Exploding targets, which are also known as binary explosives, according to The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are “prepacked products consisting of two separate components, usually an oxidizer like ammonium nitrate and a fuel such as aluminum or another metal.” 

“These components typically are not listed separately on the List of Explosive Materials and do not meet the definition of "Explosives" in 27 CFR 555.11. Therefore, ATF does not regulate the sale and distribution of these component chemicals, even when sold together in binary "kits." However, when the binary components are combined, the resulting mixture is an explosive material subject to the regulatory requirements found in 27 CFR, Part 555,” according to atf.gov. 

Tannerite is the registered trade name of the binary explosive targets manufactured by Tannerite Sports, according to their website, which sells a two-pound target for under $16. While the recipe for Tannerite is patented, the fuel is an aluminum powder, while the oxidizer is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium perchlorate, according to Forbes.

According to a 2013 interview with the state’s fire marshall conducted by the Ellsworth American, while Tannerite is legal to buy and sell in Maine, it becomes illegal as soon as it becomes prepared as an explosive. 

Misuse of binary targets could result in injuries or death, according to Tannerite.com, which also warns of the dangers of flying debris, fire-starting potential, and individual town noise ordinances. 

Belfast City Council meetings are held every first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend meetings via Zoom and the meetings can be streamed on the City website at cityofBelfast.org.

The meetings also air live on BEL TV, as well as on Belfast Community Radio WBFY 100.9.  

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com