Navigating The World Of Pyrotechnics
Over the years we have sold everything from guns, Tannerite, our own Outlaw X exploding targets, sulfur powder, Thermite ingredients and so much more. As hit on a few days ago, making it in online retail requires a tremendous amount of diversity and flexibility — adapting to an ever-changing marketplace, along with evolving rules and regulations.
I got an email from a website. We are not partners, but we know each other and have done business in the past. I consider them a friend, not competition. I'll plug them here: Skylighter.com, good people. They sell some things we do not, as we don't delve nearly as deep into the retail world of pyrotechnics. What we both understand is that the retail world, in regard to the average consumer, is a bit dicey in regard to legalities and liabilities.
This particular email I got was in regard to dark aluminum powder, which we do happen to both sell, although both are made in different countries by different companies. I'm not making this post for comparison purposes either — not going to say which is better. As a matter of fact, we may ultimately source some of our dark aluminum powder from them, as they import it directly.
But that being said, I was impressed by the disclaimer in the email that they do NOT sell to anyone they know who intends to illegally use a product to make something that is not legal to make without an explosive license. As the owner of Outlaw X (despite the name), I could not agree more with this policy, and I adhere to it as well.
The reason behind this is pretty simple. It's perfectly legal to make, say, black powder. There are tutorials all over the internet telling you how. And yes, we sell some — not all — of the components for this. We do not provide instruction and will not. We also, just like Skylighter, sell some components to make some of the components to make flash powder, for example, used in some fireworks that are illegal for a person without a license to make as well.
I personally, and from a business liability standpoint, will not knowingly provide a substance to anyone I understand to have intent to do something illegal with a product we sell. I do not care how much money you have or who you are. That being said, if your intent is to use our products in a legal manner for your enjoyment, we are thankful for your business. We hope you continue to purchase your Tannerite, Outlaw X Exploding Targets, and anything else we can provide you, for a very long time.
Check local and federal laws first. Educate yourself about what you are buying, and what it is capable of, from multiple sources before mixing or experimenting. Understand that there is a tremendous amount of misinformation on the internet. When dealing with chemicals purchased from us (or anyone else for that matter), it is your own responsibility to understand not only the legal implications of your actions going forward, but the risks you may encounter to your health and to others as well.
When you purchase from us, we want you to have fun. We also want you to be educated and safe. The agreement when you purchase from us is this: you buy it, you take responsibility for it upon its arrival. Very simple, very clear. If you make any indication your intentions are otherwise, we will not sell to you — or anyone else. We want to be in business for a long time; if we lose business because we don't support illegal activities that endanger others, so be it.