Explosives Law & Legal Definition
Explosives are chemical compounds or mixtures that undergo rapid burning or decomposition with the generation of large amounts of gas and heat, leading to sudden pressure effects. The main use of explosives in peacetime is for blasting and quarrying, but explosives are also used in fireworks and signaling flares and for setting blind rivets and forming metals. Explosives are used as propellants for projectiles and rockets and as bursting charges for demolition purposes and for projectiles, bombs, and mines.
Military explosives are divided into two general classes, high explosives and low explosives, according to their rates of decomposition. They may be further classified according to use. Explosives are frequently used by terrorists to cause destruction. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) regulates explosive materials at the federal level. While smokeless powder and black powder generally are exempt from the federal explosives laws, these products are often used to make illegal or "improvised explosives devices" and pipe bombs.
Legal Definitions
Search Definitions
Get a Term Defined
- Request a legal definition! Submit a term you need defined.
- » Request Legal Definition
Submit a Definition
- Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
- » Submit a Definition
Help Build USLegal
- Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
Build USLegal
Read a Law Digest
- Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
Go to Law Digest
Form Packages
- Select from our most popular legal form packages.
- » Bankruptcy
- » Contract for Deed
- » Divorce
- » Employment Packages
- » Home Sales
- » Incorporation
- » LLC Formation
- » Landlord Tenant
- » Mutual Wills
- » Name Change
- » Personal Planning
- » Partnerships
- » View All Packages
Legal Life
- Organize your legal life today! View our free online guide to creating a Life Documents File and related products.
- » Life Documents File
- » Personal Planning Package
- » Life Documents Packages
- » New Parents
- » Newlyweds
- » Baby Boomers
- » Military
- » Other
Form Drafting
- Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
Submit a drafting request...
