WSJ: Private Equity and the AR15

[CleverNickname]

There aren't laws on the books prohibiting that because there are any number of theoretical ways to achieve fission or fusion and such a law would have to cover all of them then someone would come up with another one.

It sure looks like they've just banned all weapons that use fission or fusion without defining every particular method though.

(c)The term “atomic energy” means all forms of energy released in the course of nuclear fission or nuclear transformation.
(d)The term “atomic weapon” means any device utilizing atomic energy, exclusive of the means for transporting or propelling the device (where such means is a separable and divisible part of the device), the principal purpose of which is for use as, or for development of, a weapon, a weapon prototype, or a weapon test device.

[MickAK]

It sure looks like they've just banned all weapons that use fission or fusion without defining every particular method though.

(c)The term “atomic energy” means all forms of energy released in the course of nuclear fission or nuclear transformation.
(d)The term “atomic weapon” means any device utilizing atomic energy, exclusive of the means for transporting or propelling the device (where such means is a separable and divisible part of the device), the principal purpose of which is for use as, or for development of, a weapon, a weapon prototype, or a weapon test device.

The only time I've seen the law you listed referenced is in relation to people building very accurate replicas for museums and such. That's how old, obscure, and not enforceable it is. Like this one https://wendoverairfield.org/little-...plica-exhibit/. The guy that built it was a pretty interesting dude and there was some discussion on whether he could run afoul of the law or not. Neat guy. https://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2021...len-1946-2021/

A modern law would have to cover all sorts of ways in which you could arrange explosives to manage that, and they don't exist. Laws intended for enforcement are either source material under the NRC or the various terrorism provisions of the PATRIOT act. A visit from Flowers By Irene or even worse the DOE would shortly follow.