ATF CLARIFIES RULES ON TRANSPORT OF FIREWORKS
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said felons and other persons prohibited from transporting, receiving or possessing explosives can handle consumer fireworks because those devices are not covered by federal explosives law, according to a clarification recently posted on ATF's Web site.
The issue of who can transport explosives has confused explosives manufacturers, trucking companies and railroads since ATF said in January it would force transportation companies to adhere to explosives regulations. Last week major railroads said they would halt explosives shipments until the federal government sorts out which agency has jurisdiction over explosives during transport and clarifies its intent.
Union Pacific said it is not greatly affected by the embargo because the majority of explosives it ships are mostly fireworks. It was not immediately clear if UP will resume shipments of consumer fireworks based on the ATF clarification.