GREENSBORO, N.C. - They can shoot fire up to 30 fee. And for around $1,200 dollars you can own one. The XM-42 flamethrower is legal in every state except California and Ohio where you need permits and Maryland, where they're banned. They’re made outside Detroit and the small startup says sales are heating up.
“Most of our customers are way out in the country and have property and they see a use for it,” CEO Chris Byars said.
Byars says most customers want one for agricultural purposes, like burning fields and weeds. He claims it’s also being used for snow removal, rock concerts, movies and just for fun.
"It's fun," Amy Koffel said. "i get some girlfriends to come out and get some cool photo's done because everyone wants to try one.”
Another company called throwflame sells a larger version. But not everyone's so "fired up" about the business.
The mayor of Warren, Michigan, near where the XM-42 is made, dad them banned from his city.
“I had one guy say to me: 'i'd like to have one because you never know when a hoard of crazy people are going to come at your home.' And i said you been watching too much Walking Dead," mayor James Fouts said. "Outside of zombie attacks there's no need to have this.”
But Byars defends his product.
“It's a tool," hes aid. "Depending on how you use it anything can be used for harm. We say punish the person using it if they are.”
The company says it sold around one thousand flamethrowers in just a few months.
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