(A) The term EXPLOSIVE or EXPLOSIVES, whenever used in this subchapter, shall be held to mean and include any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and that contains any oxidizing and combustible units or other ingredients in the proportion, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction or concussion, by percussion or by detonator of any part of the compound or mixture may cause a sudden generation of highly heated gasses that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb or property.
(B) Nothing in this definition shall be held to mean and include any small arms ammunition or signal rockets or devices or compositions used to obtain visible or audible pyrotechnic effects, which are defined in § 95.20, nor to include explosives in the forms prescribed in the Official United States Pharmacopeia.
(Prior Code, § 4-5-1-(1))