From my understanding, the reason most states allow them is largely because they’re very useful tools in certain fields of construction, particularly for melting tar.
If I’m mistaken, or if they also have other legitimate uses, feel free to correct me or add additional information…
Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers
There is very few cases where you want to “throw” flames. It’s inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.
Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you’re catching something on fire so it spreads.
They use “flamethrowers” on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.
I’d define flamethrower as “An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance”
For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.
If it dispenses burning gas it’s not very useful as a weapon and is really just a big gas burner. Roofing torches, blowtorches, and weed burners fall into this category.
If it doesn’t cover a meaningful distance it’s also not very useful as a weapon and is essentially just a leaky container. Driptorches fall into this category.
If it dispenses the burning material in an uncontrolled or undirected manner it’s either an incendiary bomb/grenade of some sort or an accident. It might be a weapon but not one I’d call a flamethrower.
You’re thinking of a flamethrower as it has to be a weapon and trying to fit the definition around that.
If I had a device that throws flames, let’s say 100 decimeters. Is it a flamethrower? Am I really controlling the flames at the farthest distance? I would say no because the objective of the device is to throw the flame as far as possible. Compared to a torch that could burn a bullseye at 100 decimeters, flamethrower would just burn the whole target.
I typically only hear of the term “flamethrower” in a weapons context so yes, I’d say that it has to be a weapon. Yes, you can have a noncombat device that projects a flame but those are typically called something else (like “burner” or “torch”). I’d expect most people to first think of a weapon when they hear “flamethrower”.
And I would assume that your device’s flame is still controlled and directed – it may have some spread but you still choose where to point the device even when it’s active. You probably also have a means of turning the device off, offering further control. So your device fits the definition, even if it might be crude.
An incendiary grenade would be an example of a device that offers no control or direction. Once it goes off it releases all the fire everywhere within range. Another example would be a burning gas well – it might project its fire in a fairly predictable fashion and in a clear direction (up) but you can’t easily turn it off or point it somewhere else.
1 decimeter is a 1/3 of a foot. Assumed a flamethrower shoots >30ft. 30×3=90. ~100 decimeters.
You could change it to 10 meters easily if you prefer it that way. A third of a foot or 9/10 of a yard. I find it easier to compare it to a third of a foot.
Like I’m 6ft tall. I’m 18 decimeters, or 1.8 meters. Otherwise, I would have said 2 yards or 2 meters.
Ten meters would have been the obvious, decimeters aren’t really used in my experience; either it’s precise enough I’m measuring in mm, large enough I’m measuring in metres, or so imprecise that I’m eyeballing in inches and feet
Decimeters are great. You should try to use them more.
Something that is like 2.5 ft. I can easily convert to 7.5 decimeters. Then .75 meters. There is no way i could convert 2.5 ft to meters without some serious thinking, and paper would help.
Precise has nothing to do with what units you use. Mm is not more precise than Cm
36.982 mm is 3.6982 cm. They are both as precise as each other.
Humans are much better at knowing an inch or a foot in distance than a yard or a meter.
If I said, draw a line that is 4in or 1 decimeter. You would be closer than trying to draw a meter line.
I work in building in the US. I know an inch and a foot like the back of my hand. I never deal with yards. For yards, I’d just think of it in feet and ×3. Just like I’d do with decimeters.
I know the metric system, but my default unit is US Customary.
If I had to look at a room, I could tell you instantly if it was either 25 or 30 ft. If you asked for meters I couldn’t just say “I know exactly how long a meter is (without thinking about it being basically a yard), that wall is closer to 7 meters than 9 meters”
I’d have to constantly work with meters to do that. Which I don’t.
I’m not against things being gradually changed to metric. A lot of things are in metric. Like a 2L bottle of soda. If you put a pitcher of water in front of me and asked how many liters. I’d have to think of the 2L bottle. Just like if you asked for gallons, I’d think of a milk jug. Now I have a good grip on what 5 gallons is because that’s the standard construction bucket, but 5L is 2.5 2L sodas.
I wouldn’t be nearly as precise if I used metric without decimeters. Inches and Feet are the measurements I use the majority of the time. Even a 100ft wall is a 100ft wall. It’s never referred to as a 33.33 yard wall. Using a metric unit closest to inches and feet is beneficial for me.
Flamethrowers don’t use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That’s why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.
Flamethrowers typically set fire to a stream of flammable liquid, like gasoline (as a trivial example). Torches use gas, or gas mixtures.
The inherent range differences are a meter (maybe 2) for torches, and flamethrowers do 50-100 m (source: Wikipedia). Just in case that isn’t clear, those aren’t the same category of device.
Traditional flamethrowers have fuel gelling additives that cause the burning fuel to stick to the victim, making them considerably more dangerous than a long flamed torch.
From my understanding, the reason most states allow them is largely because they’re very useful tools in certain fields of construction, particularly for melting tar.
If I’m mistaken, or if they also have other legitimate uses, feel free to correct me or add additional information…
I suppose the key is where the line is drawn between a flamethrower and a very large torch.
A flamethrower is a ranged incendiary device.
What do you consider a flamethrower?
How far is ranged?
Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers
There is very few cases where you want to “throw” flames. It’s inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.
Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you’re catching something on fire so it spreads.
They use “flamethrowers” on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.
I’d define flamethrower as “An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance”
For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.
Interesting take.
You’re thinking of a flamethrower as it has to be a weapon and trying to fit the definition around that.
If I had a device that throws flames, let’s say 100 decimeters. Is it a flamethrower? Am I really controlling the flames at the farthest distance? I would say no because the objective of the device is to throw the flame as far as possible. Compared to a torch that could burn a bullseye at 100 decimeters, flamethrower would just burn the whole target.
I typically only hear of the term “flamethrower” in a weapons context so yes, I’d say that it has to be a weapon. Yes, you can have a noncombat device that projects a flame but those are typically called something else (like “burner” or “torch”). I’d expect most people to first think of a weapon when they hear “flamethrower”.
And I would assume that your device’s flame is still controlled and directed – it may have some spread but you still choose where to point the device even when it’s active. You probably also have a means of turning the device off, offering further control. So your device fits the definition, even if it might be crude.
An incendiary grenade would be an example of a device that offers no control or direction. Once it goes off it releases all the fire everywhere within range. Another example would be a burning gas well – it might project its fire in a fairly predictable fashion and in a clear direction (up) but you can’t easily turn it off or point it somewhere else.
Why would you possibly choose that unit?
1000 centimeters sounds ridiculous
Guess I could have said 1 decameter
1 decimeter is a 1/3 of a foot. Assumed a flamethrower shoots >30ft. 30×3=90. ~100 decimeters.
You could change it to 10 meters easily if you prefer it that way. A third of a foot or 9/10 of a yard. I find it easier to compare it to a third of a foot.
Like I’m 6ft tall. I’m 18 decimeters, or 1.8 meters. Otherwise, I would have said 2 yards or 2 meters.
Ten meters would have been the obvious, decimeters aren’t really used in my experience; either it’s precise enough I’m measuring in mm, large enough I’m measuring in metres, or so imprecise that I’m eyeballing in inches and feet
Decimeters are great. You should try to use them more.
Something that is like 2.5 ft. I can easily convert to 7.5 decimeters. Then .75 meters. There is no way i could convert 2.5 ft to meters without some serious thinking, and paper would help.
Precise has nothing to do with what units you use. Mm is not more precise than Cm
36.982 mm is 3.6982 cm. They are both as precise as each other.
Humans are much better at knowing an inch or a foot in distance than a yard or a meter.
If I said, draw a line that is 4in or 1 decimeter. You would be closer than trying to draw a meter line.
I work in building in the US. I know an inch and a foot like the back of my hand. I never deal with yards. For yards, I’d just think of it in feet and ×3. Just like I’d do with decimeters.
I know the metric system, but my default unit is US Customary.
If I had to look at a room, I could tell you instantly if it was either 25 or 30 ft. If you asked for meters I couldn’t just say “I know exactly how long a meter is (without thinking about it being basically a yard), that wall is closer to 7 meters than 9 meters”
I’d have to constantly work with meters to do that. Which I don’t.
I’m not against things being gradually changed to metric. A lot of things are in metric. Like a 2L bottle of soda. If you put a pitcher of water in front of me and asked how many liters. I’d have to think of the 2L bottle. Just like if you asked for gallons, I’d think of a milk jug. Now I have a good grip on what 5 gallons is because that’s the standard construction bucket, but 5L is 2.5 2L sodas.
I wouldn’t be nearly as precise if I used metric without decimeters. Inches and Feet are the measurements I use the majority of the time. Even a 100ft wall is a 100ft wall. It’s never referred to as a 33.33 yard wall. Using a metric unit closest to inches and feet is beneficial for me.
Flamethrowers don’t use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That’s why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.
puts a bic lighter on a comically long stick
You’re not throwing fire with a bic on a stick
Now a bic in a slingshot…
Flamethrowers typically set fire to a stream of flammable liquid, like gasoline (as a trivial example). Torches use gas, or gas mixtures.
The inherent range differences are a meter (maybe 2) for torches, and flamethrowers do 50-100 m (source: Wikipedia). Just in case that isn’t clear, those aren’t the same category of device.
They are also very useful for controlled burns.
The most important thing is that nobody is using them maliciously so there is no incentive to ban them.
and the reason that there are no bad guys with flamethrowers is that they’re terrified of good guys with flamethrowers
Mutually assured flames.
Happy Cakeday! 🍰🎂
I believe they are also used in agriculture.
Traditional flamethrowers have fuel gelling additives that cause the burning fuel to stick to the victim, making them considerably more dangerous than a long flamed torch.
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