Comments on: Hints for Beginners in Amateur Chemistry http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:03:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: rsp http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-1043431 rsp Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:58:00 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-1043431 While there are some rather Draconian laws restricting chemicals today, let's not exaggerate the situation either. None of the chemicals listed in the article are banned or controlled. A handful of them could attract suspicion because of their use in illegal activities but are not by themselves illegal. To be sure, there are laws restricting some of them, but only IN LARGE QUANTITIES. Sure, an individual ordering a ton of hydrochloric acid will arouse police suspicion, but buying a small bottle is not a problem --- hardware stores routinely stock it. In fact, most of the chemicals which they list can be found in hardware stores, art supply stores, and photo shops. As for glassware, the only place which I know to have any laws about glassware is Texas. Pretty much anywhere else, it is perfectly legal to own and sell glassware. Given how times have changed in the last 50 years, anyone taking up a scientific hobby today would do well to first read up on the law, look a the lists of drug precursors, and other chemicals published by law enforcement agencies, and the like first so as not to run afoul of the law. While it is good to be prudent and take care that one doesn't get mistaken for a drug cook or bomb maker, it is another thing to get paranoid. While there are some rather Draconian laws
restricting chemicals today, let’s not exaggerate
the situation either. None of the chemicals listed
in the article are banned or controlled. A handful
of them could attract suspicion because of their use
in illegal activities but are not by themselves
illegal. To be sure, there are laws restricting some
of them, but only IN LARGE QUANTITIES. Sure, an
individual ordering a ton of hydrochloric acid will arouse police suspicion, but buying a small bottle
is not a problem — hardware stores routinely
stock it. In fact, most of the chemicals which
they list can be found in hardware stores, art
supply stores, and photo shops.

As for glassware, the only place which I know to
have any laws about glassware is Texas. Pretty
much anywhere else, it is perfectly legal to own
and sell glassware.

Given how times have changed in the last 50 years,
anyone taking up a scientific hobby today would do
well to first read up on the law, look a the lists
of drug precursors, and other chemicals published
by law enforcement agencies, and the like first so
as not to run afoul of the law. While it is good to
be prudent and take care that one doesn’t get
mistaken for a drug cook or bomb maker, it is
another thing to get paranoid.

]]> By: hobbit_breath http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-957426 hobbit_breath Wed, 26 Dec 2007 03:40:43 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-957426 maybe. but you definitely would be if you tried to get the glassware. maybe.

but you definitely would be if you tried to get the glassware.

]]> By: Bob http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-956927 Bob Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:13:25 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2007/12/25/hints-for-beginners-in-amateur-chemistry/#comment-956927 Probably get arrested for trying to buy those chemicals today. Probably get arrested for trying to buy those chemicals today.

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