Posted on 05/31/2007 11:31:54 AM PDT by InfraRed
HAMILTON — You never know what you'll find on a spring cleaning sweep, but sheriff's deputies were surprised to find something "explosive" May 5 while participating in the Hamilton citywide cleanup.
A used military rocket launcher, specifically a M72 light anti-tank weapon, covered by brush and leaning against a telephone pole, was spotted by a Butler County Jail inmate in the 500 block of South Third Street, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said.
"It's pretty bizarre and scary to find something like this in your neighborhood," Jones said, noting the sheriff's office and inmates were responsible for collecting trash in the 4th and 5th Wards.
The sheriff said during his military training he shot similar weapons, known as LAW rockets, and was told to stomp on them after firing so they could not be reused by the enemy.
A portion of the rocket launcher found in Hamilton was missing, making it inoperable and of no danger, Jones said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives, M72 launchers with a training tube installed for firing smaller projectiles than the usual rocket fall under the same regulations as firearms. A used, inoperable tube, however is not federally regulated, an ATF official said Friday.
"Makes you wonder what they were using it for," Jones said.
Specialist Mike Grimes, commander of the sheriff's bomb unit, estimated the rocket launcher as circa 1970s, most likely used in the Vietnam war.
He said it is possible children were using it to shoot fireworks or someone ditched it because the person who took it as souvenir could be charged with receiving stolen property since it technically belongs to the U.S. military.
Of course, until they catch you with one.
“Of course, until they catch you with one.”
If they came to your house and found a hunting rifle, 20 shells, and this used tube, the MSM would breathlessly report about a man who was caught with “an arsenal.”
Although given it's size, I'm betting that the typical method for that sort of thing was quickly ruled out.
“If I had a rocket launcher...some sonofabitch would die.”
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