Bristol residents demand action following explosions

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL

LACONIA DAILY SUN

BRISTOL — The explosions that rocked the Newfound Region on Saturday night when partygoers allegedly shot at Tannerite targets near the Bristol airport have many residents on edge, and some are demanding that the selectmen take action because the police have not made any arrests.

Lt. Timothy Woodward said the investigation is ongoing, but there may not be any developments in the case until later in the week.

He said that, while the Bristol Police Department has placed a call to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, seeking guidance, the ATF had not yet returned the call.

A Facebook post that Town Administrator Nik Coates said was initiated by Joshua Adjutant called upon residents to attend the selectmen’s meeting on Oct. 19 to “voice their concerns, and discuss possible resolutions to the re-occurring problem.”

Because two of the selectmen will not be able to attend the regularly scheduled meeting on the 19th, selectmen had previously decided to meet instead on Oct. 26.

Coates said he and the selectmen have no role in police investigations.

The explosions took place around 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 and caused people from as far away as Lincoln and Monroe to report feeling the shock. Unconfirmed reports say the partygoers were shooting off fireworks and decided to detonate Tannerite, a compound used in target practice.

A brand-name product, Tannerite is a mixture of two powders that are shipped in separate containers and therefore are not subject to the legal restrictions that apply to other explosives. Even when combined, they are stable and cannot be exploded by a hammer blow, being dropped, or from a low-velocity bullet. Available at most gun shops, Tannerite typically is used in small quantities to create a puff of smoke to indicate that a target has been hit.

The manufacturer recommends using no more than 2 pounds, but it has become popular to use as much as 100 pounds of the combined powder to create dramatic explosions that are shared on internet videos.

Because possession of Tannerite is not illegal, any charges would likely involve disturbing the peace. Police have said that some charges are likely to be filed.