Fact Check: fun fact: flamethrowers are legal in all us states except Maryland, as they are categorically tools and not firearms. the only other state with restrictions on flamethrowers is California, who requires you have a permit for flamethrowers which can fire for further than 10 feet.

Published April 9, 2025

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VERDICT

Mostly True

# The Legality of Flamethrowers in the United States: A Detailed Examination ## Introduction The claim under scrutiny states that flamethrowers are l...

The Legality of Flamethrowers in the United States: A Detailed Examination

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny states that flamethrowers are legal in all U.S. states except Maryland, where they are completely banned. It further asserts that California is the only other state with restrictions, requiring a permit for flamethrowers that can project flames beyond 10 feet. This claim raises questions about the legality and regulation of flamethrowers across the United States.

What We Know

General Legality: Flamethrowers are broadly legal for personal ownership and use in the United States. However, specific regulations vary by state. Maryland is noted as the only state that outright bans flamethrowers 1 3.
California Regulations: In California, flamethrowers are legal but require a permit if they can project flames over 10 feet. This regulation is intended to ensure responsible ownership and mitigate safety risks 2 4 7.
Other States: The claim implies that all other states have no restrictions on flamethrowers. While many states do not have specific laws regarding flamethrowers, some may have local ordinances or regulations that could affect ownership and use 2 8.
Federal Regulations: At the federal level, flamethrowers are not classified as firearms under the National Firearms Act, which means they are not subject to the same regulations as guns 6 9.

Analysis

Source Reliability

Wikipedia: While it provides a broad overview, Wikipedia's open-edit nature can lead to inaccuracies. However, it is often a good starting point for general information 1.
Legal Clarity: This source appears to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal landscape regarding flamethrowers. However, the lack of clear authorship raises questions about its reliability 2.
World Population Review: This source is generally reliable for demographic and legal information, but it should be noted that it may not always provide the most current legal updates 3.
Lifehacker: Known for practical advice, this source is typically reliable but may simplify complex legal issues for a general audience 4.
Throwflame: This source is a commercial entity selling flamethrowers. As such, it may have a conflict of interest in portraying flamethrowers positively 6.
CNN: A reputable news organization, CNN's fact-checking articles are generally reliable and well-sourced 7.
Classic Firearms: Similar to Throwflame, this source is a commercial entity, which may influence its presentation of flamethrower legality 8.

Conflicting Information

The claim that Maryland is the only state with a complete ban on flamethrowers is supported by multiple sources 1 3 4. However, the assertion that California is the only other state with restrictions is somewhat misleading. While California does have specific regulations, other states may have local laws that could restrict flamethrower use, though these are not as widely reported.

Methodology Concerns

The claim lacks specific details about the nature of restrictions in other states. Additional information on local ordinances or regulations would provide a clearer picture of the legal landscape. Furthermore, the claim does not address the potential for changes in legislation, which can occur frequently at both state and local levels.

Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly True

The claim that flamethrowers are legal in all U.S. states except Maryland, which has a complete ban, is mostly accurate. Maryland is indeed the only state with an outright prohibition on flamethrowers, and California does have specific regulations requiring permits for flamethrowers that project flames beyond 10 feet. However, the assertion that all other states have no restrictions is misleading, as some states may have local ordinances that could impose limitations on flamethrower ownership and use.

It is important to note that the legal landscape regarding flamethrowers can vary significantly due to local laws, which are not always well-documented or reported. Additionally, laws can change, and the claim does not account for potential future legislative developments.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information regarding flamethrower legality and consult local laws to ensure compliance, as the nuances of state and local regulations may not be fully captured in broader claims.

Sources

Regulation of flamethrowers in the United States - Wikipedia. Link
Is It Legal to Own a Flamethrower in the United States? - Legal Clarity. Link
Flamethrower Legal States 2025 - World Population Review. Link
Is It Legal to Own a Flamethrower? - Lifehacker. Link
What states is it legal to own a flamethrower? - Short-Fact. Link
FAQ | Flamethrower for Sale - Throwflame. Link
Fact check: Biden's claim that 'you're not allowed' to own a ... - CNN. Link
Are Flamethrowers Legal? How Do I buy One? | Gun News | Firearms - Classic Firearms. Link
Regulation of flamethrowers in the United States - Wikiwand. Link
California Banned His Flamethrower – So He Moved to ... - SOFREP. Link

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Detailed fact-check analysis of: Paul Krugman Paul Krugman We’re All Rats Now Time to take a stand, again, against racism Paul Krugman Jun 30, 2025 Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in New York’s Democratic primary has created panic in MAGAland. Stephen Miller, the architect of Donald Trump’s deportation policies, waxed apocalyptic: Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, declared that New York is about to turn into “Caracas on the Hudson.” And Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama basically declared New York’s voters subhuman, saying: These inner-city rats, they live off the federal government. And that’s one reason we’re $37 trillion in debt. And it’s time we find these rats and we send them back home, that are living off the American taxpayers that are working very hard every week to pay taxes. These reactions are vile, and they’re also dishonest. Whatever these men may claim, it’s all about bigotry. Miller isn’t concerned about the state of New York “society.” What bothers him is the idea of nonwhite people having political power. Bessent isn’t really deeply worried about Zamdani’s economic ideas. But he feels free, maybe even obliged, to slander a foreign-born Muslim with language he would never use about a white Christian politician, even if that politician were (like some of his colleagues in the Trump administration) a total crackpot. And while Tuberville stands out even within his caucus as an ignorant fool, his willingness to use dehumanizing language about millions of people shows that raw racism is rapidly becoming mainstream in American politics. Remember, during the campaign both Trump and JD Vance amplified the slanders about Haitians eating pets. And now that they’re in office, you can see the resurgence of raw racism all across Trump administration policies, large and small. 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Are there really people out there naïve enough to believe MAGA’s claims to be against antisemitism, who can’t see the transparent cynicism and dishonesty? The fact is that the Trump administration already contains a number of figures with strong ties to antisemitic extremists. The Great Replacement Theory, which has de facto become part of MAGA’s ideology, doesn’t just say that there’s a conspiracy to replace whites with people of color; it says that it’s a Jewish conspiracy. So I’m definitely scared of what the many antisemites inside or with close ties to the Trump administration may eventually do. And no, I’m not frightened at all by the prospect that New York may soon have a somewhat leftist Muslim mayor. Anyway, my personal fears are beside the point. Everyone who cares about keeping America America needs to take a stand against the resurgence of bigotry. Because the truth is that we’re all rats now. MUSICAL CODA Discussion about this post Michael Roseman Jun 30 Edited For a while, American bigotry was ashamed of itself. Or pretended to be. Now it runs the government. Reply Share 106 replies Megan Rothery Jun 30 Edited Take a stand - Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️‍🩹🤍💙 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk Reply Share 31 replies 852 more comments... No posts Ready for more? © 2025 Paul Krugman Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice Start writing Get the app Substack is the home for great culture

Jul 20, 2025

Fact Check: Transcript
00:00
I cannot believe that Trump is
cutting Medicaid. Actually,
what I meant to say is that I
can't believe he's not cutting
more of it because medicaid is
a money laundering scheme for
your government.
Congratulations all you
bleeding heart democrats.
Instead of raging against the
machine, you're bending over
for it. Medicaid is jointly run
by the states and the feds and
for every one dollar that your
state allocates to the program,
the Feds turn around and match
that at a level of one 00
percent so one dollar up to
nine dollars. And this money
comes from taxpayers in other
00:34
states. Your money has a 900%
return rate at someone else's
expense. Why wouldn't you
expand the program? Thanks
Obama. That's exactly how we
wound up with way too many
Medicaid recipients in the
first place. Like everything
related to healthcare the
providers are in bed with the
government on this one too
because the government can tax
the providers. 1. Use that
dollar to collect the up to
nine dollars in federal funds
and to reimburse the provider
their original dollar. What?
Robbing the taxpayer to pad the
funding pool leading to
increase reimbursements for
01:06
Medicaid for the providers.
Yeah, if I'm a doctor or a
health care facility, I'm
saying sign me up to that. Yes,
the medical industrial complex
totally has your best interest
in mind so go ahead and swallow
up those vaccines like a good
little comrade. Age me harder
daddy. And speaking of
comrades, do you know how many
people in this country receive
Medicaid that shouldn't? Before
you start screaming, everyone
should get free health care.
Not the argument here. We do
not have universal health care
in the United States. It
doesn't work and since we don't
have it, that means someone is
paying for it and guess what?
There are lower-income families
01:37
who don't qualify for the
benefits but they're taxpayers
and they're being burdened by
this. Back to the point which
is that the system is insanely
abused. I used to do child
support referee work for years
and you would v

Partially True

🎯 Similar

Fact Check: Transcript 00:00 I cannot believe that Trump is cutting Medicaid. Actually, what I meant to say is that I can't believe he's not cutting more of it because medicaid is a money laundering scheme for your government. Congratulations all you bleeding heart democrats. Instead of raging against the machine, you're bending over for it. Medicaid is jointly run by the states and the feds and for every one dollar that your state allocates to the program, the Feds turn around and match that at a level of one 00 percent so one dollar up to nine dollars. And this money comes from taxpayers in other 00:34 states. Your money has a 900% return rate at someone else's expense. Why wouldn't you expand the program? Thanks Obama. That's exactly how we wound up with way too many Medicaid recipients in the first place. Like everything related to healthcare the providers are in bed with the government on this one too because the government can tax the providers. 1. Use that dollar to collect the up to nine dollars in federal funds and to reimburse the provider their original dollar. What? Robbing the taxpayer to pad the funding pool leading to increase reimbursements for 01:06 Medicaid for the providers. Yeah, if I'm a doctor or a health care facility, I'm saying sign me up to that. Yes, the medical industrial complex totally has your best interest in mind so go ahead and swallow up those vaccines like a good little comrade. Age me harder daddy. And speaking of comrades, do you know how many people in this country receive Medicaid that shouldn't? Before you start screaming, everyone should get free health care. Not the argument here. We do not have universal health care in the United States. It doesn't work and since we don't have it, that means someone is paying for it and guess what? There are lower-income families 01:37 who don't qualify for the benefits but they're taxpayers and they're being burdened by this. Back to the point which is that the system is insanely abused. I used to do child support referee work for years and you would v

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Transcript 00:00 I cannot believe that Trump is cutting Medicaid. Actually, what I meant to say is that I can't believe he's not cutting more of it because medicaid is a money laundering scheme for your government. Congratulations all you bleeding heart democrats. Instead of raging against the machine, you're bending over for it. Medicaid is jointly run by the states and the feds and for every one dollar that your state allocates to the program, the Feds turn around and match that at a level of one 00 percent so one dollar up to nine dollars. And this money comes from taxpayers in other 00:34 states. Your money has a 900% return rate at someone else's expense. Why wouldn't you expand the program? Thanks Obama. That's exactly how we wound up with way too many Medicaid recipients in the first place. Like everything related to healthcare the providers are in bed with the government on this one too because the government can tax the providers. 1. Use that dollar to collect the up to nine dollars in federal funds and to reimburse the provider their original dollar. What? Robbing the taxpayer to pad the funding pool leading to increase reimbursements for 01:06 Medicaid for the providers. Yeah, if I'm a doctor or a health care facility, I'm saying sign me up to that. Yes, the medical industrial complex totally has your best interest in mind so go ahead and swallow up those vaccines like a good little comrade. Age me harder daddy. And speaking of comrades, do you know how many people in this country receive Medicaid that shouldn't? Before you start screaming, everyone should get free health care. Not the argument here. We do not have universal health care in the United States. It doesn't work and since we don't have it, that means someone is paying for it and guess what? There are lower-income families 01:37 who don't qualify for the benefits but they're taxpayers and they're being burdened by this. Back to the point which is that the system is insanely abused. I used to do child support referee work for years and you would v

Jul 27, 2025

Fact Check: BREAKING NEWS:
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Detailed fact-check analysis of: BREAKING NEWS: $100M FIRE AID FUNDS NEVER REACHED VICTIMS, 12 NONPROFITS GOT THE CASH ESTEAD

Aug 3, 2025

Partially True

Fact Check: Propaganda in democracies is not declared, neither its purpose nor its consequences. Moral, honor and critical thinking hardly function normally under propaganda and nontransparent hypnotic lobbyism.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Propaganda in democracies is not declared, neither its purpose nor its consequences. Moral, honor and critical thinking hardly function normally under propaganda and nontransparent hypnotic lobbyism.

Jul 29, 2025

Partially True

Fact Check: Is the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy now? How to debunk this myth: “I'm sure Hamas is. Their lies & propaganda destroyed cease-fire deal, tried to discredit safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas & will result in this complete balagan! Most sad for hostage” families-grief prolonged”

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Is the UN, NY Times, and Hamas all happy now? How to debunk this myth: “I'm sure Hamas is. Their lies & propaganda destroyed cease-fire deal, tried to discredit safe and functioning GHF effort, emboldened Hamas & will result in this complete balagan! Most sad for hostage” families-grief prolonged”

Jul 28, 2025

Partially True

Fact Check: Central Claims CBS says Colbert’s cancellation isn’t related to his criticisms of the parent company’s Trump settlement, which came three days earlier. Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump, calling it a “big fat bribe.” Internal memo or Congressional defunding of NPR/PBS happened the same week, reflecting further pressure on public media. Trump regularly undermines the press, sues critics, and celebrates attacks on media independence.

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Central Claims CBS says Colbert’s cancellation isn’t related to his criticisms of the parent company’s Trump settlement, which came three days earlier. Colbert criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump, calling it a “big fat bribe.” Internal memo or Congressional defunding of NPR/PBS happened the same week, reflecting further pressure on public media. Trump regularly undermines the press, sues critics, and celebrates attacks on media independence.

Jul 28, 2025

Explore All Fact Checks

Fact Check: fun fact: flamethrowers are legal in all us states except Maryland, as they are categorically tools and not firearms. the only other state with restrictions on flamethrowers is California, who requires you have a permit for flamethrowers which can fire for further than 10 feet.

The Legality of Flamethrowers in the United States: A Detailed Examination

Introduction

What We Know

Analysis

Source Reliability

Conflicting Information

Methodology Concerns

Conclusion

Sources

Have a claim you want to verify? It's 100% Free!

Comments

Leave a comment

More Fact Checks to Explore

Fact Check: BREAKING NEWS: $100M FIRE AID FUNDS NEVER REACHED VICTIMS, 12 NONPROFITS GOT THE CASH ESTEAD

Fact Check: Propaganda in democracies is not declared, neither its purpose nor its consequences. Moral, honor and critical thinking hardly function normally under propaganda and nontransparent hypnotic lobbyism.