If you're serious about changing federal policy to encourage young people to learn about space and rocketry, you'll do something about stupidity like this:

In any case, since the federal Safe Explosives Act -- which requires permits for rockets with more than 0.9 pounds of fuel -- went into effect in late 2002, the rocketry industry has been battered.

John Wickman, president of CP Technologies, an amateur rocketry supplier, said his company's sales have dropped by about 50 percent since the act passed.

"It was a major hit, because people just dropped out," said Wickman. "They just dropped out of the hobby completely."

Part of the problem, say people like Wickman, is that the ATF doesn't even understand the hobby it is trying to regulate.

I'm not certain how stupid this is Rand. The rockets being regulated aren't the Estes rockets that are the traditional path for young people to be inspired by; but the much higher powered ones used by adults to get bragging rights over each other within their community.

That's not to say that we don't stand at the top of a slippery slope, and that there isn't a problem; but that the NAR has generated so much FUD one would be forgiven for believing that all non-professional rocketry was coming under an iron thumb.

I'm sorry, Derek, but the arguments put up in defense of the regulations have been scientifically illiterate and illogical. It's not unreasonable to look at the hobby and to assess whether or not it's a threat, but the response has been purely ignorant and knee jerk, with typical bureaucratic keister-upholstering behavior.

No, this doesn't hit the toys, but one of the things that motivates kids to fly rockets is that they can gradually move up to bigger ones, and in the past few years, sending your own payload into space has become realistic. This can't help but have a dampening effect on that enthusiasm, for no sensible purpose.

Rand is right. Although we do have to worry about terrorists using more sophistcated weapons in the future (i.e. radiological/nuclear, biological and chemical) they nearly always use the ultimate KISS (keep it simple stupid) delivery system - two feet, four or more wheels or wings. The circuitry delivering and/or detonating the weapons is bio-chemical.

Terrorists are far more likely to buy already made rockets or missiles, than to re-invent them. It would be FAR easier, believe me.

I'm one of the high power rocketeers (Triploi Rocketry Asn. #3209) who hasn't been launching in a while. It's an expensive hobby in the first place, and now we're faced with shelling out several hundred bucks if we want an ATF LEUP (Low Explosive Users Permit), and build a magazine to keep our motors in.

I'd rather ATF agents spend their time looking for the bad guys than waste it regulating and already well (self-)regulated hobby

This is a stupid law, but it's not sufficient reason for people to ditch the hobby. You can evade the restrictions entirely by flying hybrids.

Although we do have to worry about terrorists using more sophistcated weapons in the future (i.e. radiological/nuclear, biological and chemical) they nearly always use the ultimate KISS (keep it simple stupid) delivery system - two feet, four or more wheels or wings. The circuitry delivering and/or detonating the weapons is bio-chemical.

I recall a discussion on sci.space.policy some years back that addressed this issue with regards to RLV's. The assessment of many (I was not one) was that terrorists would never steal an RLV, the very idea was as ridiculous as that Clancy scenario where a Japanese pilot flew a 747 into the Capitol. Terrorists would never, it was claimed, choose such a complicated method.

Then came 9/11.

If we don't worry about the future, it has a nasty habit of arriving whether we will or no. (Consider the fable of the grasshopper and the ant.)

Terrorists are far more likely to buy already made rockets or missiles, than to re-invent them. It would be FAR easier, believe me.

The existence of the Qassam rocket somewhat belies your claim that they are more likely to buy rather than reinvent. (Though it can be argued that they were forced into that position by existing Israeli restrictions.) It's also considerably easier (easier, not easy) to enter the US with nothing but a few faked identities and credit cards and then to purchase the rocketry materials widely available than it is to smuggle in any existing artillery rocket. (Especially given the enormous amount of materially available online.)

It's an unlikely scenario, but not an impossible one.

I'd rather ATF agents spend their time looking for the bad guys than waste it regulating and already well (self-) regulated hobby

Self regulation works wonders on members of a hobby that mutually agree to abide by the rules, regulations, and standards that are generally recognized by by the members of the hobby. It does nothing to require an individual to abide by those. No rule passed by Tripoli or the NAR regulates me unless I agree to be regulated.

I agree (wholeheartedly) that the law as implemented is stupid and ham handed. But to claim that no regulation is needed because the 'community polices itself' is nothing but nonsense.

I'm one of the high power rocketeers (Triploi Rocketry Asn. #3209) who hasn't been launching in a while. It's an expensive hobby in the first place, and now we're faced with shelling out several hundred bucks if we want an ATF LEUP (Low Explosive Users Permit), and build a magazine to keep our motors in.

So do what model railroaders have done for decades when faced with the desire to operate a large, complex, and very expensive layouts - layouts beyond the means of most individuals. Band together. Form a club and build a single magazine. Pay for a small team to have the permits with the remainder of the club as assistants and support crew. Evade the law by complying with the letter if not the spirit. Do as Andy suggests and fly hybrids. Find some method of reasonable civil disobedience. Prove to the public at large that the hobby is safe and it's practicitioners reasonable. Seek to lessen the impact of laws by working with the lawmakers. (Learn from the Marijuana smokers. By slow steady steps they are eroding the laws against them.)

Giving up and walking away plays into the hands of those who would imprison you. Lashing out against the system does nothing but give them more ammunition.