Explosives have a few beneficial uses to them, especially around a homestead. However, dynamite and the law make quite the dynamic duo. Something so appealing to have in stock ready to blow something up for either practical use or just to blow something up…
…and a law of the land saying that we are forbidden to buy such an item. Before rushing online with your credit card to buy TNT, you should know if you can legally buy dynamite first.
Dynamite 101
What Exactly is Dynamite?
Dynamite is nitroglycerine mixed with a stabilizing agent, such as diatomaceous soil (think “ground shells or chalk”) or clay.
Why is dynamite called TNT?
TNT is a compound used in dynamite. TNT is simply an abbreviation for the explosive trinitrotoluene.
Is dynamite still being used illegally?
Like most banned items. Yes, it is. Even by fisherman. Fishing is a crucial survival skill to learn, but with a rod. Not with explosives. There is a type of fishing called dynamite fishing also known as fish bombing or blast fishing. In blast fishing, the fisherman uses explosives to kill or stun fish for capturing.
Buying Dynamite
Buying dynamite has been against federal law for decades now. According to the APA, Cherry Bombs, Silver Salutes, and M-80’s have been banned by Federal Law since 1966 because of the large amounts of explosive composition they contain.
Your ability to buy, use, manufacture, or store explosives is regulated by the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms).
So no, you can’t go out and legally buy a stick of dynamite, not even online.
Are there any exceptions for certain professions, like farmers or homesteaders for example?
Can you buy dynamite for farm use? It would make sense for homesteads to be able to buy and possess dynamite for professional related use.
Surely it must be legal to have a small amount of dynamite, right?
Not even a stick of dynamite. Even a half stick of dynamite is illegal.
How To Buy
To buy dynamite legally, you have to become a licensed blaster. Yes, that’s the technical title of the profession.
Getting licensed requires going through a series of tests and training. Even after you’re licensed, you can’t go around blowing TNT anywhere you want. You must apply for permits for the area you plan on “working” in.
When applying for blasting permits, every detail must be put down as well. Where you intend to be, how much you plan on using. Etc.
Don’t forget about your thorough safety plan either, including:
- What safety precautions you’re taking
- The emergency and safety equipment and procedures you have in place
- Everything
If after you do all that. Then you can legally buy a stick of dynamite. Then they tell you what you can and cannot do with it, after being approved for the permit of course.
Alternatives
Dynamite is a powerful useful tool when you need a large mass of something to disappear. Since it’s illegal, we need alternatives. Here are the best alternatives.
DIY Dynamite
If you cant buy it, make it. Right? Not always. Giving instructions here on how to make explosives is out of the scope of this article. You can go here to see how dynamite is made and other information.
Warning: making explosives at home is dangerous.
DIY Match Dynamite
There is a type of mini-explosive that’s made with a small bundle of matches. See the video below on how to make it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MCQcKk9ahU
Conclusion
Using dynamite isn’t the best idea even though it could work well for specific homesteading projects.
For more resources on the legality of explosives, here is a fact sheet.