intersting angle. I hadn't considered why they aren't regulated already. Pretty sure West Marine and Home Depot aren't registered as FFL's

Because the Washington State Explosives Act (http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=70.74) specifically exempts the possession, sale etc of signaling devices? RCW 9.41 specifically addresses that chapter in the notes.

Stretching here... But it is a loop?

I was browsing the RCWs last night, and there are requirements that "dealers" have to follow such-and-such procedures (aka background checks) when they transfer a pistol. (And it appears to me that a typical flare gun is a pistol.) Since West Marine isn't a firearms dealer, then I understand why -- at a STATE level -- they don't worry about them. Basically, today it seems that transferring a flare gun is just a normal private sale of a pistol. (??)

But at a federal level, I'm not seeing why they aren't regulated when they cross state lines.

There must be more to this story. I feel like I know about 1% of the information I need.

I just don't want to get West Marine all spun up and then find out that there's an easy answer....

Sooooo...let's go back to high school geometry and the proofs we all loved so much.

The given: Signaling devices are exempt
A) Firing a pistol into the air would likely draw help if one were to become lost in the woods, stuck in the rubble of a parking garage in an earthquake, etc.
B) A pistol can be effectively used as a signaling device
Theory: A pistol is exempt

Yes?

Nice, but ... I still haven't seen anything that says that signaling devices are exempt from firearm laws.

Is it in section f #3?

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5845

No.

That section says that signaling devices are not "destructive devices." Destructive devices are a specific category of weapons (bombs, grenades, etc.) that are regulated as NFA items.

Makes me wonder about my potato gun.

anything ever come of this? I went over to OCDO, and the thread just died off. Did Home Depot removed powder actuated tools?

I know Lowes still has these on the shelf...

Last I checked West Marine's web site (several months ago) they didn't sell flare guns in Washington. I should go look again.

Edit: Yep, still listed as "Not for sale in Washington State"

As best I can tell, airguns are not covered by any of this, which is ironic. They're quite a bit more dangerous than a nail gun.

Here's a review of a .45 cal air rifle from the perspective of a regular gun guy.
https://youtu.be/_b2kMyMLEBA

Damn you . . . you're gonna cost me money at some point, I just know it.

That is a great video! Kind of hard on wasted product but who would have thought an air rifle would have that kind of performance and suppressed if you want without all the stupid paperwork!

Not cheap but kind of like buying a Sako rifle!

This one is cheaper, but it's a .357: http://youtu.be/1GPejLukzcY

My mistake. I thought the Bulldog was cheaper. Looks like it's the same price. I like the bull pup design better though.