Need to clarify something being reported by the media. Media reports that Las Vegas shooter had 50 pounds of the explosive Tannerite.
Tannerite is not an "explosive." It is not controlled, and you can buy it at Academy and other stores. It is actually a target marker originally designed for long range shooting. When recreational or competitive shooting at extremely long distances it becomes difficult to actually see your strikes on target. Tannerite, when mixed with an activator, creates a substance that when struck by a high velocity bullet will react with a highly visible and an audible "boom." It lets you know you hit the target. It cannot be set off with a match or fuse. It produces no flame, heat or combustion. You can't accidentally set it off. What you see is essentially steam water vapor that appears as white smoke but quickly dissipates. Its actually a lot of fun to play with. But it does release a certain amount of energy, and could cause significant damage or injury if intentionally misused. Search it on You Tube and you will find some videos of what a large mixed amount of it can do. It is usually sold in small containers. The question is what was he doing with it in the room. If it had not been mixed with the activator it would have been totally inert. Fifty pounds of it mixed with activator would have to be combined in a single container to create a viable "bomb." But he would have had to fire a high velocity round at it in the room. Did he intend to try to blow himself or somebody else up? Just another interesting question about what was in this nut's mind.
Tannerite is not an "explosive." It is not controlled, and you can buy it at Academy and other stores. It is actually a target marker originally designed for long range shooting. When recreational or competitive shooting at extremely long distances it becomes difficult to actually see your strikes on target. Tannerite, when mixed with an activator, creates a substance that when struck by a high velocity bullet will react with a highly visible and an audible "boom." It lets you know you hit the target. It cannot be set off with a match or fuse. It produces no flame, heat or combustion. You can't accidentally set it off. What you see is essentially steam water vapor that appears as white smoke but quickly dissipates. Its actually a lot of fun to play with. But it does release a certain amount of energy, and could cause significant damage or injury if intentionally misused. Search it on You Tube and you will find some videos of what a large mixed amount of it can do. It is usually sold in small containers. The question is what was he doing with it in the room. If it had not been mixed with the activator it would have been totally inert. Fifty pounds of it mixed with activator would have to be combined in a single container to create a viable "bomb." But he would have had to fire a high velocity round at it in the room. Did he intend to try to blow himself or somebody else up? Just another interesting question about what was in this nut's mind.
