105 mm Howitzer used to clean off snow off mountain passes in Colorado

[Midwest]

105 mm Howitzer used to clean off snow off mountain passes in Colorado



Road crews in Colorado lease a 105 millimeter WWII era Howitzer from the U.S. Army to clear mountain passes with controlled avalanches.

So because the Howitzer is owned by the U.S. Army I have to assume that there are no NFA papers or individual $200 NFA stamps for each explosive shot (since it is a Destructive Device)?

But if someone owned it, would they have to pay the $200 NFA stamp for each explosive shot? By the way, there is a cool news video showing the Howitzer in use.

Anyone here own a Howitzer?


How Does Colorado Clear Snow From Mountain Passes? Howitzers.

http://gizmodo.com/how-does-colorado-clear-snow-from-mountain-passes-howi-1757658441


"This has to be one of the more interesting ways to clear snow. In Colorado, road crews have a unique way to preemptively take care of snow build up in mountain passes: a World War II era 105-millimeter howitzer that they lease from the US Army."
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[rcmodel]

States have long used surplus howitzers, 90mm and 105 & 106mm Recoilless Rifles, Mortars, military rocket launchers, high-explosive charges dropped from mil-sup or National Guard helicopters, etc.

They are exempt, because they are just another branch of the gobermint.

Who are exempt from the NFA rules the rest of us have to live by.

It's for the good of the rich children trying to get to the ski resorts you see.

(No, that was wrong for me to say that.
It's for the good of everyone who must pass through the roads and railways in avalanche country, be it for work, or play.)

rc

 

[Peter Gun]

We used them, but I think they were 88mm at solitude and Brighton ski areas in Utah when I worked there in the 90s as a lifty. Not owned by the gov, owned by the resort and operated by ski patrol. I have no idea what kind of permits they had for them but Avalanche control told me they had a huge secret stockpile of ammo somewhere on the mtn.
Unfortunately, one gun blew up and killed the operator, there's a memorial for him at the top of the Powderhorn lift at Solitude.
Most Avalanche crews switched to guns that just fired a shock wave, but I always questioned weather they were as effective.
It was also common for the crews to use hand charges dropped from the peaks or helicopter.
Always enjoyed my morning routine as I sat atop the summit chairlift watching the shells fly across the valley and destroy the cornices in glorious white explosions!