Boring Company's flamethrowers could be banned if New York bill passes
Possessing one for recreational activities would be a felony.
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The Boring Company's flamethrowers would be banned as part of a bill passed by the New York State Senate.
Flamethrowers, including those from Elon Musk's Boring Company, are causing concern among New York lawmakers.
The New York State Senate passed a bill this month banning the possession of flamethrowers for recreational use. Having one would be a Class E felony, which could lead to up to four years in prison, according to a CNBC report on Friday.
"Elon Musk's Boring Company released a new flamethrower which sold out of all 20,000 within days, without any concern to the training of the purchasers or their reasons for buying," lawmakers said in a release. "Allowing the general public to access this type of machine is extremely problematic."
Last year, Musk tweeted that the company changed the name of the product to "Not a Flamethrower" because of "recent regulatory/customs rules enacted to inhibit transport of anything called a Flamethrower."
The bill, sponsored by Democratic Sens. John Brooks and David Carlucci, passed the Senate 48-13 on June 11. It hasn't yet been voted on in the Assembly.
The New York State Senate and The Boring Company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
This isn't the first time lawmakers have tried to ban the Boring Company's flamethrowers. Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, a Democrat from California, said last year he planned to introduce state legislation blocking sales of the flamethrowers to the public.
Originally published June 21, 2:04 p.m. PT.
Update, 3:48 p.m.: Adds information from New York State Senate press release.