Like the ones in the beginning of the movie “Gladiator”. Just wonder if I could build one of these and test it in my backyard so long as the balls of flaming pitch stayed on my side of the fence? Who has to power to say I can’t do this if it’s not proscribed by law?
I’m sure the police could come up with a few dozen reasons why it’s a bad idea.
maybe you could do it a large empty parking lot.
It isn’t against VA law to make catapults. It is against the local county laws where I live to throw flaming balls of pitch. It’s also against the law to discharge missiles of any sort. Actually, they have some pretty strict rules about “open fires” here too. I think burning pitch falling out of the sky would be considered an open fire.
Tris
Yep, you would probably run afoul of the law with the operation of a flaming pitch catapault, rather than just with it’s construction. Or a million or so laws.
Just remember, if flaming pitch tossing catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have flaming pitch tossing catapults.
You can have my flaming pitch tossing catapult when you pry it from my…
…oh never mind
50 gallon flaming pitch tossing catapluts should be outlawed. no one needs that kind of fire pitch power.
also flaming pitch tossing catapluts would make an great name for a rock band.
What if it´s just a semi-automatic flaming pitch tossing catapult? 
depends is it for recreation or hunting?
Yeah, but you could just fling flaming pitch at them until they go away.
In California, even flaming pitch slingshots are outlawed.
I recall a few years ago in Pennsylvania, someone dumped a Christmas tree off their balcony, hitting a person or power line or some such below. They were charged with illegally launching a missile.
But could you get a concealed-carry permit for it?
That just might be because there isn’t a specific law against being a fucking moron.
State regulations will vary. For example in Massachusetts
From this pdf at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website.
Only well regulated militias should have flaming pitch tossing catapluts. J/k, I think the penumbras and emanations of the 2nd amendment guarantee your right to a flaming pitch tossing cataplut on demand.
Realistically, I have seen pumpkin patch owners with catapults for their unsold crop. It probably would not be difficult to modify these to accomodate flaming pitch. Of course, finding good pitch these days isn’t as easy as it used to be.
what about tossing flaming lemons? Is that illegal?
Home defense.
As long as it doesn’t have a bayonet lug it’s probably OK. Otherwise it might be considered an “Assault Catapult”. You also need to make sure the magazine can’t hold more than 10 balls of flaming pitch at once.
Use of high capacity flaming pitch magazines are limited to law enforcement uses only.