Ammonium Nitrate

Theophilus 2013-2014

There are already regulations on Ammonium Nitrate.pg. 1-3

Success of Ammonium Nitrate Laws..pg. 4
The Chemical Industry Will Appose Further Regulations..pg. 4

There are already regulations on Ammonium Nitrate

The DHS already has regulations on ammonium nitrate
From Ammonium Nitrate Security Statutes and Regulations published by the
Department of Homeland Security
Section 563 of the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Subtitle J, Secure Handling of
Ammonium Nitrate ("Section 563"), Public Law 110161 , amends the Homeland
Security Act of 2002. The amendment requires the Department to "regulate the sale and
transfer of ammonium nitrate by an ammonium nitrate facility ... to prevent the
misappropriation or use of ammonium nitrate in an act of terrorism."
https://www.dhs.gov/ammonium-nitrate-security-statutes-and-regulations
Reese Dunklin is the first News staffer to win the prestigious Livingston Award, which
recognizes the country's top young journalists working in newspapers, television,
magazines and radio. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington
The DHS already requires companies to report the inventories
From Ammonium nitrate sold by ton as U.S. regulation is stymied by Reese Dunklin
and By Steve Thompson, published by Dallas News on 10/05/2013
Federal rules do govern the handling of ammonium nitrate produced as an explosive for
the mining industry. But rules are less stringent for ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
Companies storing certain amounts of ammonium nitrate fertilizer are required to report
their inventories. And those with more than 2,000 pounds onsite may be required by the
Department of Homeland Security to develop a plan to prevent theft or attack.
http://www.dallasnews.com/investigations/20131005-ammonium-nitrate-sold-by-ton-asu.s.-regulation-is-stymied.ece
Reese Dunklin is the first News staffer to win the prestigious Livingston Award, which
recognizes the country's top young journalists working in newspapers, television,
magazines and radio. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington
The History of Ammonium Nitrate incidents
From Ammonium nitrate sold by ton as U.S. regulation is stymied by Reese Dunklin
and by Steve Thompson, published by Dallas News on 10/05/2013
In 1947, the detonation of ammonium nitrate aboard two ships at port in Texas City
caused at least 576 deaths.
A half-century later, in 1995, Timothy McVeigh blew up Oklahoma Citys federal
building, killing 167 people. He mixed fuel oil with ammonium nitrate produced by a
Dallas-based company and sold from a Kansas co-op.
Ammonium nitrates tragedies have been numerous worldwide. Some were particularly
notable.

Ammonium Nitrate

Theophilus 2013-2014

In September 2001, 10 days after 9/11, an accidental explosion in an ammonium nitrate

fertilizer warehouse in Toulouse, France, killed 30 people and injured about 3,000.
In 2003, an attack at a crowded passenger wharf in the Philippines killed 16. And a series
of truck bombs in Istanbul, Turkey, killed more than 50 and wounded 700.
The calamities have spurred a number of countries to ban ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
Some in Europe allow its use only in diluted form. Others, such as Australia, have
enacted tight restrictions. Several have created specific rules and guidelines on safely
handling ammonium nitrate.
In the U.S., the Oklahoma City bombing prompted soul-searching about whether buyers
ought to be able to purchase such explosive force from a local farming supplier.
Federal officials asked the National Research Council, which advises the government on
scientific issues, to study the problem.
Compared with some countries, the United States has relatively lax federal controls on
the purchase of explosives such as ammonium nitrate, the councils more than 300-page
report concluded in 1998.
http://www.dallasnews.com/investigations/20131005-ammonium-nitrate-sold-by-ton-asu.s.-regulation-is-stymied.ece
Reese Dunklin is the first News staffer to win the prestigious Livingston Award, which
recognizes the country's top young journalists working in newspapers, television,
magazines and radio. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington
Argument- The ammonium incidents happen before the Section 563 of the 2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act, Subtitle J, Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate was
put in place. We clearly see that this is not an inherent problem in the SQ, thus inherency
should flow to the negative team.
Ammonium Nitrate is heavily regulated. There is no cause for concern for any
terrorist plots that involve it.
From U.S. proposed ammonium nitrate regulations written by Pete Williams published
by NBC news on August 2 2011
Under the rule to be formally published Wednesday, anyone who buys large amounts of
ammonium nitrate, including farmers or workers seeking to use it as an explosive in
mining or construction, would be required to register in advance. If they're not on any
government watch lists, they'd get a federal user number which, along with a photo ID,
would allow them to make purchases.
Dealers would be barred from selling more than 25 pounds of ammonium nitrate to
anyone who wasn't registered and would also be required to keep records of all sales.
They would also have to report losses or thefts within 24 hours.
Pete Williams: Prior to joining NBC, Williams served as a press official on Capitol Hill
for many years.

Ammonium Nitrate

Theophilus 2013-2014

The Ammonium Nitrate Security Program is taking steps to ensure that no

ammonium is bought or sold without proper clearance
From Ammonium Nitrate Security Program, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published
by the Department of Homeland Security updated January 14th 2014
As a result of Congressional direction, the Department proposes the Ammonium Nitrate
Security Program, which seeks to reduce the likelihood of a terrorist attack involving
misused ammonium nitrate by:
Creating a registration program for purchasers and sellers of ammonium nitrate;
Regulating transactions involving the sale or transfer of ammonium nitrate at the point of
sale;
Establishing procedures for reporting a theft or loss of ammonium nitrate; and
Requiring businesses to keep records of all ammonium nitrate transactions for two years
The status quo is working towards ammonium nitrate control.
From Homeland Security plans to regulate bomb fertilizer by Andrew Seidman,
Washington Bureau, by the LA Times on August 02, 2011
The Homeland Security Department announced plans Tuesday to regulate the sale of
ammonium nitrate, 16 years after the fertilizer was used to make a bomb that killed 168
people at a federal office building in Oklahoma City.
Argument: The affirmative team must prove that each significant harm it identifies is
built into the essential nature of the status quo such as through legal structures and/or
societal attitudes, and will not be solved without the affirmative case. This evidence says
that ammonium nitrate regulation is already being put through congress, and given
enough time, will eventually fix the problem.
The status quo already has basic ammonium nitrate control.
From The U.S. Finally Starts Regulating Sales Of Ammonium Nitrate, written by Robert
Johnson, published by Business insider on August 3, 2011
The new legislation will require anyone buying more than 25 pounds to register, be
screened against a known terrorist list, and require any thefts to be reported within 24
hours.
Robert Johnson is formerly Business Insider's Senior Correspondent and the originating
Editor of BI Military & Defense. Johnson attended the University of Missouri and New
York University.
Argument: We already have basic regulation, so there is no need to require more,
because there is no need.

Ammonium Nitrate

Theophilus 2013-2014

Success of Ammonium Nitrate laws

The Ammonium Nitrate program is keeping Americans safe.
From Department Of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 written by
Representative Bennie Thompson on June 8th, 2012
As the author of the originating legislation for the ammonium nitrate security program
and co-author of the originating legislation for the CFATS program, I strongly believe
that these programs are (the program is) at a crossroads and support is essential for them
to realize Congressional intent and address vulnerabilities that put ordinary Americans at
risk.

The chemical industry will oppose further regulations

The chemical industry will oppose change
From Chemical world, US safety body says deadly West explosion 'preventable, April
25, 2014 quote from Peg Seminario
The chemical industry has made it clear that they will oppose any further regulations.
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/04/us-safety-body-deadly-west-fertilizerammonium-nitrate-explosion-preventable
Peg Seminario is the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations director of safety and health
Argument: We live in a democracy. The people have a voice. And if the people dont
like something, they arent going to let it happen. The peoples opinion needs to be
considered in all things.