By FireRescue1 Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new product being offered by Elon Musk has officials urging the public not to make a purchase.
Mercury News reported that Elon Musk announced he would be selling a flamethrower through his newest venture, The Boring Company, which aims to alleviate Los Angeles traffic by excavating a tunnel through the city.
The California Health and Safety Codes state that flamethrowers, which are defined as “any nonstationary and transportable device designed or intended to emit or propel a burning stream of combustible or flammable liquid a distance of at least 10 feet,” are illegal to own without a permit.
A spokesman for The Boring Co. said the new flamethrower does not emit 10-foot-long flames, so it does not fall under the law.
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Musk said on Twitter that over 2,000 people have pre-ordered the flamethrower for $500, but officials are urging the public not to do so.
“Joke or not, this subject matter, in the wake of the state’s deadliest wildfires in history, is incredibly insensitive, dangerous and most definitely not funny,” California Assemblymember Miguel Santiago said. “Absolutely no public good could come from the sale of this tool.”
Several social media users claim the flamethrower could possibly be a well-prepared April Fool’s joke, since they are slated to be released in the spring, but The Boring Co.’s spokesman said it is no joke.
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“It is real,” he said. “You can place an order on the website, and we will start shipping in the spring.”