Schumer To Introduce Bill That Would Outlaw Homemade Explosives
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says he is introducing legislation to make it illegal to build homemade bombs.
The New York Democrat said Sunday that current federal rules could potentially allow someone to make homemade explosives without breaking the law. He said that the Boston Marathon bombing and the publication by terrorist groups of recipes for homemade bombs show the need to criminalize the activity.
The senator said the legal loophole hinders law-enforcement efforts to stop acts of terror and violence.
"We have talked to law enforcement, and they feel this is a missing link in their fights against terrorism," Schumer told WCBS 880. "They could be listening into a would-be terrorist and find out they're going to make a bomb, but they couldn't arrest him just for making a homemade explosive device. .... And a stitch in time saves nine. The sooner and earlier our law enforcement can make an arrest, they can nip these would-be terrorists in the bud so they don't do damage to us."
The legislation would outlaw bomb making, though exceptions would be made for businesses with a license to create explosives for legitimate uses.
"This is a huge loophole. It's hard to believe it's not against the law. It is not, and hopefully we can close (the loophole) quickly," he told 1010 WINS.
Specifically, the bill would authorize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other agencies to arrest those who are manufacturing homemade explosives.
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