Doomsday Preppers: Molotov Cocktails

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xquercus

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One of the individuals on this evening's episode of Doomsday Preppers made and used a Molotov cocktail out of a bottle of booze (Everclear I believe). My first impression is that this guy violated the National Firearms Act on national television. Perhaps he's an SOT or there is some other reason this wouldn't fall under the NFA? Thoughts?
 
Maybe it's just me, but simply appearing on this show would be counterproductive to their "doomsday prepper" plans. I can't see it being a good thing to be on national T.V. advertising your massive supplies of food and defensive capabilities when you are in fear of the "trolls," coming to steal your Lucky Charms...
 
I'm not sure a molotov cocktail would be an NFA weapon or not.
If I were truly in a post SHTF scenario, I'm not sure I'd care about the NFA, atleast to the point it would stop me from making molotovs if I believed it were necessary for survival.
And, I too wonder why these guys are "going public."
 
"Perhaps he's an SOT", yes he is, a drunken sot! Why would one take the supply of Ever Clear and molotov it? Like one segment of the advertisement, where they show all of those canned tomatoes in jars, lying on their sides in that rack? One who's ever done any canning, especially tomatoes, you never let the product touch the canning lids, instant spoiling starts! Poisoning starts the minute you serve those in your MRE chili ! LOL :neener:
 
A Molotov cocktail definitely is a destructive device. I don't see a mention of them specifically in the NFA however there are plenty of news stories where people who possessed one where dealt with under the NFA. An excerpt from the NFA's FAQ reads:

Some examples of the types of NFA firearms that must be registered are: Machine guns, frames or receivers of machine guns; [lengthy list removed] ; molotov cocktails, anti-tank guns (over caliber .50), bazookas, and mortars.

I also recall, but can't drum up at the moment, some information from the ATF where they described exactly what they consider to be a Molotov cocktail. It included very detailed information such as the flashpoint of the incendiary liquid.

On one hand I'm surprised this got past the NatGeo lawyers but on the other I guess the physical evidence is now long gone.

At the same time, despite the fact that the individual was clearly demonstrating the use of a weapon, perhaps there is some ATF ruling that would exempt this for theatrical purposes or something. Interested in what others have to say.
 
In s SHTF situation, sobriety would be your friend, so I assume that you were suggesting to use it as an antiseptic.
 
Wait so it's illegal to put a piece of cloth in a liquor bottle?
Yes its called constructive possession. And it could be illegal to have cloth near a bottle of booze and matches or a lighter close by.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_possession

"A person can be charged with constructive possession of an illegal device if they possess the otherwise legal material to assemble it. If a person has in his possession or control the ingredients to make an explosive device, he can be charged with constructive possession of that device."

I guess this could apply to anyone who drinks hard liquor and smokes a cigarette or a cigar while clothed. Therefore bars and other fine drinking establishments could be cited for encouraging violation of the NFA act...
 
A molotov cocktail -- generally any form of flammable liquid contained in a vessel and fitted with a wick or ignighter -- is absolutely a NFA Title II Destructive Device.

From a recent DOJ press release:

Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Alex Glossian, 25, of Meriden, Connecticut, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine, to unlawful possession of a Molotov cocktail, an unregistered destructive device.

Court records reveal that on June 2, 2010, Glossian and another individual made “Molotov cocktails” using gasoline and 40 ounce beer bottles. Two of the devices were then lit and thrown through windows at an Indian Island home. One of the devices was retrieved intact from the house. The second device ignited after shattering a bedroom window and caused extensive damage.

Glossian faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence investigation report by the United States Probation Office.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office.

So, yes, that's very bad. Note that the arson involved is a SEPARATE crime from the construction and possession.
 
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These shows are about ratings at these peoples' expense.

Don't you guys thinks that the network lawyers would see the liability in this? If they showed it on TV, I'm sure they sprung for the tax stamp--or had an expert prepare it, or however they manage these things legally--for the one they lit off for the, you know, recorded evidence.
 
It's in the device, you can pour Everclear on the ground and light it on fire without breaking the law. You cannot put it in a "delivery device".
 
A Molotov Cocktail is considered a destructive device. I suspect they used PGA because it might have been a more legally acceptable way to get past the NFA, although why you'd waste a valuable antiseptic is beyond me. It's not like there is much other use for PGA and in a survival situation, an antitank incendiary weapon will probably be one of the furthest things from what you need.
 
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These people are stupid, now everyone is going to know where to go when the time comes.................
 
Three separate "Doomsday Preppers" threads going on THR General Guns Discussion. I guess reality TV producers know what they're doing.


Tinpig
 
Yes its called constructive possession. And it could be illegal to have cloth near a bottle of booze and matches or a lighter close by.

IDk about you but I keep my alcohol in the kitchen. You know with the dish towels and the fireplace lighter.
 
Bangor, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Alex Glossian, 25, of Meriden, Connecticut, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor, Maine, to unlawful possession of a Molotov cocktail, an unregistered destructive device.

See, that, right there, worries me. We can't have auto M16 parts in our possession whether they're assembled or not. By that logic, none of us can have alcohol, bottles and cloth in the same household.
 
Yes its called constructive possession. And it could be illegal to have cloth near a bottle of booze and matches or a lighter close by.

Holy crap one of the older gentlemen I know is truly a dangerous individual. He couldn't find the lid for his old steel gas can, and stoppered it up with a whittled stick and a rag. I better turn him in!;)
 
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