Bird bombs? How the heck are we going to be able to break up noisome mass roosts of starlings or cattle egrets now?
Besides, I hear tell (from unnamed sources) that a single bird bomb over their heads is superior to a regular warning shot for putting trespassers on notice that they are in the wrong place...
Bird bombs -- a few grains of black powder in a cardboard case smaller in diameter than 12GA bore -- "high explosive"? YGBSM!!
A blackpowder bird bomb would (probably, IANAL) be OK. The ones I’m familiar with have flash powder, a case, and a fuse, and it’s the flash that makes them “high explosive devices”.
From ATF (note that “theatrical flash powder” is called HE)
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Binary Explosives
Binary explosives are pre-packaged products consisting of two separate components—usually an oxidizer like ammoni¬um nitrate and a fuel such as aluminum or another metal. These components typically are not listed separately on the List of Explosive Materials and do not meet the definition of “Explosives” in 27 CFR 555.11. Therefore, ATF does not regulate the sale and distribution of these component chemicals, even when sold together in binary “kits.” However, when the binary components are combined, the resulting mixture is an explosive material subject to the regulatory requirements found in 27 CFR, Part 555.
Storage
All explosive materials, including mixed binary explosives, must be stored in locked explosives storage magazines as prescribed in the regulations found in 27 CFR, Part 555, Subpart K—Storage, unless they are in the process of being used, manufactured, transported, or physically handled in the operating process.
High explosives – such as mixed theatrical flash powder–must be stored in Type 1 or Type 2 magazines, or in Type 3 magazines for temporary attended storage.
Low explosives must be stored in Type 1, Type 2, or Type 4 magazines, or in Type 3 magazines for temporary attended storage.
Explosive materials may not be left unattended in Type-3 magazines (day boxes) and must be removed to Type 1, 2 or 4 magazines for unattended storage. For indoor storage, explosives magazines are not permitted in any residence or dwelling, and no more than 50 pounds of explosive materials may be stored in any single building. Storage regulations do not apply to binary explosives until they are mixed.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Mixing binary components together consti¬tutes manufacturing explosives. Persons manufacturing explosives for their own personal, non-business use only (e.g., personal target practice) are not required to have a Federal explosives license or permit. However, individuals or companies must obtain a Federal explosives manufac¬turing license if they intend to engage in the business of manufacturing explosives for sale or distribution, or for their own business use. Such business uses include manufacturing for use in commercial blasting applications, removing obstacles such as trees or rocks during construction, theatrical special effects, and for demonstration or product testing purposes.
Therefore, licensed manufacturers and dealers of pre-mixed binary explosives kits, such as those used to make exploding targets, including those who combine the components to make videos or photos for use in marketing, or to test the product, are subject to Federal recordkeeping requirements and must maintain records of manufacture or acquisition, distribution, exportation, use, inventory and daily summaries of magazine transactions found in 27 CFR, Part 555, Subpart G—Records and Reports.