From my understanding, the reason most states allow them is largely because they’re very useful tools in certain fields of construction, particularly for melting tar.
If I’m mistaken, or if they also have other legitimate uses, feel free to correct me or add additional information…
I suppose the key is where the line is drawn between a flamethrower and a very large torch.
A flamethrower is a ranged incendiary device.
What do you consider a flamethrower?
How far is ranged?
Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers
There is very few cases where you want to “throw” flames. It’s inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.
Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you’re catching something on fire so it spreads.
They use “flamethrowers” on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.
I’d define flamethrower as “An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance”
For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.
- If it dispenses burning gas it’s not very useful as a weapon and is really just a big gas burner. Roofing torches, blowtorches, and weed burners fall into this category.
- If it doesn’t cover a meaningful distance it’s also not very useful as a weapon and is essentially just a leaky container. Driptorches fall into this category.
- If it dispenses the burning material in an uncontrolled or undirected manner it’s either an incendiary bomb/grenade of some sort or an accident. It might be a weapon but not one I’d call a flamethrower.
distance in a controlled, directed manner.
Interesting take.
You’re thinking of a flamethrower as it has to be a weapon and trying to fit the definition around that.
If I had a device that throws flames, let’s say 100 decimeters. Is it a flamethrower? Am I really controlling the flames at the farthest distance? I would say no because the objective of the device is to throw the flame as far as possible. Compared to a torch that could burn a bullseye at 100 decimeters, flamethrower would just burn the whole target.
I typically only hear of the term “flamethrower” in a weapons context so yes, I’d say that it has to be a weapon. Yes, you can have a noncombat device that projects a flame but those are typically called something else (like “burner” or “torch”). I’d expect most people to first think of a weapon when they hear “flamethrower”.
And I would assume that your device’s flame is still controlled and directed – it may have some spread but you still choose where to point the device even when it’s active. You probably also have a means of turning the device off, offering further control. So your device fits the definition, even if it might be crude.
An incendiary grenade would be an example of a device that offers no control or direction. Once it goes off it releases all the fire everywhere within range. Another example would be a burning gas well – it might project its fire in a fairly predictable fashion and in a clear direction (up) but you can’t easily turn it off or point it somewhere else.
Flamethrowers don’t use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That’s why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.
how long is ranged?
puts a bic lighter on a comically long stick
You’re not throwing fire with a bic on a stick
Now a bic in a slingshot…
They are also very useful for controlled burns.
The most important thing is that nobody is using them maliciously so there is no incentive to ban them.
and the reason that there are no bad guys with flamethrowers is that they’re terrified of good guys with flamethrowers
Happy Cakeday! 🍰🎂
I believe they are also used in agriculture.
Traditional flamethrowers have fuel gelling additives that cause the burning fuel to stick to the victim, making them considerably more dangerous than a long flamed torch.
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What’s up with Delaware?
Their motto is “Come to Delaware. We hate fun!”
Please. With a motto that long you wouldn’t be able to fully read the welcome sign before exiting the other side of the state.
That’s why the motto is just “TAX FREE SHOPPING”
That’s Maryland. Delaware is white, whatever that means.
See I can’t see colour, but fun fact, flame based weed abatement systems can be easily purchased in many parts of California, and they are basically just a flame thrower attachment for propane tanks.
More of a torch than a flame thrower though
Agreed. I have one and it shoots maybe a foot when you pull the trigger
It is is a hadheld nozzle that ejects propane that is on fire ~3ft for the purpose of burning weeds, I think that is enough to count as a “flame” “thrower”
Torch, not flame thrower.
Vaporous propellant ignition is a torch, usually butane not propane as propane leaves residue on the glass, and burns differently.
Flame throwers are literally a pee stream of fuel that is ignited on the handle by the operator. There is only destructive use with flamethrower as well due to the lack of accurate control.
Flame throwers throw something similar to napalm. Weed systems just shoot flame.
Yeah a real flamethrower fires a line of sticky flaming liquid up to 50". It’s like saying a BB gun is the same thing as a M4.
The first flamethrowers date to the 7th century. No they aren’t modern military flamethrowers but as with the description “commercial flamethrowers are generally blowtorches using gaseous fuels such as propane”. No they don’t have the same range or lethality but saying they cant both be flamethrowers is saying a BB doesn’t shoot projectiles because it’s not as the same projectiles and range of a military assault rifle.
Not all flamethrowers throw napalm, as seen flamethrowers predate napalm. A flamethrower made to abate weeds is not nearly as powerful as a military grade one, but it still throws flame. So even if you can’t buy a fancy flamethrower that shoots out 20+ feet, you can have some fun with a little propane tank based weed abatement “flamethrower”. I wasn’t trying to kick up an argument on the technicalities of what is a flamethrower, but your arguments are the weakest thing to support your idea.
In my state I can both own a flame thrower and kangaroos. I have no plans at this time.
Is the California law because of Elon Musk?
And his non-flamethrower? Probably not.
The colour codes could be more accessible.
What do you mean? they’re clearly legal everywhere except Delaware, where you have to get a permit
Still mad I didn’t buy one of the Tesla ones.
Just get a roofing / weed torch and slap a 3d printed stock on it.
What happened in Maryland‽‽‽
duly takes note
Ah yes. The Flamethrower. It’s origin story is legendary. 🤪
“I’d sure like to set those people on fire, but they way TF over there”
