M-80 (explosive)

[4] Regulation of M-80s in the United States began in 1966 with congressional hearings proposing amendments to the Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act in response to several cases of property damage and bodily harm caused by unregulated fireworks.

[6] Per the ATF, possession of such fireworks containing a charge in excess of 50 milligrams of pyrotechnic flash powder (such as M-80s) require a license issued by federal authorities.

[13] On July 8, 1976, during the Richmond Coliseum KISS concert, a fan threw an M-80 onto the stage, leaving drummer Peter Criss with partial hearing loss for the remainder of the night.

[14] On October 9, 1977, during an Aerosmith concert in Philadelphia's Spectrum, a fan threw an M-80 firework that injured singer Steven Tyler's cornea, and lead guitarist Joe Perry's hand.

[17] Both operations were connected to a multi-state illegal fireworks distribution and production ring, and multiple people were eventually sent to prison for their involvement in both incidents.

[18] The 1986 San Francisco fireworks disaster occurred when an illegal machine making M-80s failed, resulting in widespread destruction of a city block, killing at least 8 people, and devastating 125 small businesses.

Angar Hussan, a fourteen-year-old Indian immigrant, died at the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City on July 5, 1990, a day after he was struck in the throat by metal shards from an exploding steel garbage can while watching M-80 firecrackers being set off at a Fourth of July block party sponsored by the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club outside the club's headquarters in the East Village, Manhattan.

[19] Hells Angels members Anthony Morabito and John Tannuzzo were charged with second-degree murder in Hussan's death on October 22.