Friday, September 30, 2011

Feds at it again!

Urgent Notice - Your Immediate Action Is Needed. Send Your E-Mail By October 10th. Help preserve your rights regarding hobby materials.

Dear Hobbies Customer,
Many people are concerned with new government regulations that are designed to limit our hobby industry. You've probably heard about the new FAA regulations limiting our use of R/C airplanes and proposed shipping bans for R/C batteries. New regulations are being considered regarding model rocket motors. This may not immediately impact your particular hobby but it's just another step toward regulation of materials used in hobbies and deserves your attention.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently advised that they propose to terminate a special permit under which model rocket motors and igniters have been shipped for the last 33 years. If the permit is terminated model rocket motors and igniters will no longer be able to be shipped as "Flammable Solids" and will instead have to be shipped as "Explosives." In 33 years there have been no incidents involved in the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters. Hobbyists need your support. Attached is a sample e-mail that we request you send immediately to express your support.We believe that shipping model rocket motors and igniters as "Explosives" would only cause unnecessary concern for hobby shops, educators, youth group leaders and families using model rockets for educational and recreational purposes.

If you believe as we do, please send an e-mail to the Department of Transportation no later than October 10, 2011.

To assist you, here is a sample e-mail:
TO: specialpermits@dot.govSubject: DOT-SP 7887 Show Cause Response

Dear Associate Administrator,
The purpose of this e-mail is to request that DOT-SP 7887 be kept in force as written. The Special Permit, previously DOT-E 7887 has been in place since 1978 and is used by many of us who enjoy hobbies including model rockets, motors and igniters. To my knowledge, there has never been an incident involving the shipping and transporting of model rocket motors and igniters. Further, I believe that shipping these products as "Explosives" will create unnecessary fear and difficulty for those handling, transporting, receiving, storing, selling and using these products. After 33 years of use, the termination of the Special Permit is unwarranted and possibly damaging to an educational and recreational product that has an excellent record. In closing, I again request the Special Permit be kept in place as written.-
Your Name and Address

No comments: