Would It Be Fun To Own A Flamethrower? Warren Mayor Calls For Ban

By Marisa Fusinski

WARREN (CBS Detroit) - They shoot flames up to 25 feet and are available for purchase online. Warren Mayor Jim Fouts wants a ban on flamethrowers in the city.

Fouts told CBS Detroit that — although there haven't been any reported injuries or incidents as of yet — police and residents have expressed concerns about the devices that are being sold online by a local company.

Fouts says this is a preemptive strike against a product that could present a danger to the public.

"I don't want to wait until a minor gets a hold of one and decides to use it on his buddies," Fouts said. "Or unscrupulous people, drug dealers could use it to impose terror on people...They could aim it at someone's face and burn their eyeballs out."

In a Facebook post, the mayor announced he's sent a proposal to Warren City Council asking that flamethrowers be prohibited in the city, for the following reasons:

• A potential weapon which could burn the skin off a persons face if misused.
• Not tested by any safety agency like the Underwriters Laboratory.
• No safety systems to prevent unauthorized users like minors.
• A directionally uncontrolled flame.
• The burn temperature would be at least 1,000 degrees. Human skin will fall off a person at 161 degrees.
• Butane and gasoline are dangerous mix in this machine. With a low flash point this could lead to an explosion.
• Unlike a hand gun there is no requirement for a background check. That means that a minor, a convicted felon, a drug dealer or anyone could get this easily by mail. Apparently no questions are asked just send in your money!

Chris Byars, CEO and project lead at the Ion Productions Team — the metro Detroit company that makes the XM42 flamethrower — told the Detroit Free Press that flamethrowers have been used for decades, that people should be able to own what they want, and that misuse can happen with any product.

The XM42, billed as "the world's first commercially available handheld flamethrower" will be available for $899 beginning in September, and pre-orders are being accepted.

According to the website, the XM42 is "Elegant and powerful...easy and fun," and "simple to use" — offering "endless possibilities for entertainment and utility. Start your bonfire from across the yard, or kill the weeds between your cracks in style." It shoots flames up to 25 feet.

Fouts said the idea of using a flamethrower to get rid of weeds, melt snow, or "just for fun" is ridiculous.

"What kind of fun is that?" Fouts said. "It's a ticking time bomb waiting to go off...I see no justifiable reason for using this."

"What about someone whose under the influence of alcohol?" Fouts added. "He would be showing his friends how it works and could burn the house down," Fouts added. "...It's something that shouldn't be readily available."

Fouts' proposed ordinance would ban the storage, use and possession of flamethrowers in Warren. Exceptions would be made for law enforcement, firefighters and members of the U.S. military using the device in the course of duty.

Violations would results in a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both, and the device would be subject to seizure.

The Free Press reports that council last Tuesday tabled the issue for the time being.