Whitehouse Police Chief Craig Shelton, left, and Officer Curtis Dinger inspect the results of an explosion by three pounds of the binary exploding rifle target material during a test Wenesday, April 15, 2015, at the WPD weapons training facility. Shelton and Dinger agreed, if used improperly, the material could be dangerous in the extreme despite its not being classified as a traditional explosive by the federal government. Photo by Andrew D. Brosig/Tyler Morning Telegraph

Reports of mysterious, loud booming explosions in rural areas across East Texas have sheriff deputies and fire departments searching their jurisdictions for the cause.

Although there typically is no lingering smoke, fire or other signs to point authorities to locate the source, Smith County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Middleton and other law enforcement officials believe many of the explosive sounds are the result of people using shooting targets designed to explode when hit.

“A lot of these calls are due to people shooting (various brands of explosive targets) which are perfectly legal across much of the nation at this time,” Middleton said.

The targets are sold as kits containing two chemical components — such as ammonium nitrate and aluminum powder — that separately are not explosive, but when mixed together are primed for eruption. The target kits are available to the public in most gun stores and large sporting goods retailers.

Manufacturers of the product say the products are safe when used as intended, but law enforcement officials warn improper use could result in serious injury. In several instances across the nation, the shrapnel from blasts resulted in serious injuries and death.

Earlier this year, an 8-year-old boy in Oklahoma was killed when an outdoor stove stuffed with the material was shot and exploded, sending shrapnel into the child. The child’s adult relative has been charged with manslaughter in the death.

Another incident happened last month on Oregon’s Mount Hood, where federal investigators said they believe the explosive mixture caused a blast that killed a man, created a crater 10 feet wide and two feet deep and blew trees in half. Because the material is legal in Oregon, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined the blast didn’t violate federal regulations governing explosives.

“People don’t understand that not only the shrapnel can kill you in one of these types of blasts, but also the shock wave the explosion causes,” Whitehouse Chief of Police Craig Shelton said. “Shock or blast waves can actually rupture internal organs.”

The targets were designed to allow shooters to know they hit targets at long distances, but in many instances, people are using the products to blow up property, including destroying cars, barns and other large items.

Not only do the targets allow shooters to know they’ve hit a target at a longer distance, but local shooters say the blasts the targets create add an element of excitement to target practice.

Jason Ruark, of Tyler, said he uses the product to add an interactive aspect to shooting sports.

“Plus, I guess it’s the adolescent in me that likes to see stuff go boom,” he said.

Tylerite Darren Dennis said he has been using the targets on his property for more than a year because, “it is something different and something that goes boom and makes a little smoke.”

The most he has used at one time was five pounds to blow up a freezer, he said, and as a precaution, he always stays far back from the target.

Russ Morrison, public information officer for the Dallas region of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the product is typically safe after mixed and until it is hit with a high velocity round from a rifle. Morrison explained that the individual components found in the kits do not meet the federal criteria for classification as an explosive device, so therefore it is legal to purchase. Some states, however, have banned the products.

Maryland and Ohio prohibit the use of the materials, and users there could face felony charges. Other states, including Louisiana, are looking at legislation to potentially ban the products.

“Some states have banned these types of products, because there have been serious injuries and even deaths associated with its misuse,” Morrison said.

State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, said he does not know of any bills being introduced to legislators this year in regard to the product.

To demonstrate the impact of binary targets, the Whitehouse Police Department recently agreed to test the products at its gun range south of the city limits. The team, led by Chief Shelton, fired a rifle at a half pound of the product against a dirt berm. The explosion was loud, and dirt flew, but it created no risk of injury in the immediate vicinity.

The team then placed the same amount on top of a 1980s model Chevrolet car, and the impact caused the roof of the solid metal vehicle to crater. A third shot destroyed the car’s steering column and badly fractured the front windshield. The team then filled the vehicle with three pounds of the material and shot a fourth round that surprised the team.

It blew the car apart, sending metal, glass and other debris flying more than 100 yards.

“I would never have thought this would happen,” Shelton said. “I mean, it actually lifted this old metal car off the ground as it exploded.”

Shelton and others worry that if used for purposes other than intended, the results could be catastrophic.

“There are no limits as to how much of this you can purchase, and there are no records,” Shelton said. “If someone wanted to use this in a dangerous manner, then they could. Three pounds blew up this car, so you can imagine the results of using 20 pounds or more in a crowded area.”

In a YouTube video, one man used 164 pounds of the exploding targets to blow up a barn. The two-story structure was leveled in the blast.

Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said he planned to test several of the products, familiarizing himself with how they work and the damage they can cause.

“I have heard explosions while at my parent’s home in Lindale, and I have called all area law enforcement to see if they knew what had exploded,” he said.

Brooks learned the noises were shooters using the exploding targets.

“I just want to see what it can do and learn how it can work. Also, I need to know if these devices could spark a wildfire,” he said.

According to one company’s website, its product does not produce a fire of any type if used correctly. In the exercise by Whitehouse police, using three pounds of one of the products, it caused a massive fireball when it was hit by a bullet from a rifle. Most of the manufacturers don’t provide specific recommended amounts for use. Some producers warn users not to use their products during burn bans.

“We were standing about 150 yards from the car, and everyone here felt the blast,” Shelton said. “Had someone been standing closer, they might have been seriously injured or killed. This stuff is not a toy and should be used only according to the manufacturer’s directions.”

Twitter: @KenDeanofTyler