Under the Radar

Here's a mentality that I love to hate: Just stay under the radar and "the Man" won't come and get ya. Right. Here's a clear tale of what I mean:

IN ADDITION TO any other laws pertaining to liquid or gas devices:
-The DOJ in California moved its enforcement of "flamethrowers" to the state fire marshall
- It did so by pushing a bill through senate. The SFM didn't like the original and a second bill was offered and pushed through instead.
-Such enforcement means a Background check, $200-300 fees annualy; or $10,000 fine and 3 years jail time.
-The spirit of the second bill is the same, but the wording allows the fire marshal to select what is and what is NOT covered by the bill.
-The first thing he CHOSE to eliminate was propane devices since propane is a gas at room temp.
-He asked me to write up any reason I could see why firebreathers should NOT be covered under this bill.
-[He also asked the forestry department to see if their weed burners could be exempt, but they haven't figured that one out, yet]
-He's also asking for our help to REDUCE the number of devices covered under the bill by bringing forward anything that sits between a Bonefire and a military flamethrower, in the grey area of the bill.
- Many people believe that if we show him the stuff we make, they will try to make NEW LAWS about those devices to restrict or eliminate their use. These people are the "stay under the radar" contingent.
- Their logic is faulty because any device that shoots flame more than 10 feet is ALREADY COVERED by it. Bringing them forward will cost them nothing, and could mean that they don't have to get this ADDITIONAL permit to use them from the DOJ.
- So, the "stay under the radar" mentality, in at least this case, is actually causing MORE legal action against the fire community rather than less.


It is my opinion that such mindsets have caused a great deal more trouble in the past, just nothing so crystal clear in the cause-effect chain.