Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2005

H.R. 3197, the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2005, would grant the Department of Homeland Security the authority to regulate the sale and distribution of ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer that can be used to create explosives. Under this bill, both sellers and purchasers of the substance would be required to register with the government and maintain detailed records of all transactions, including names, addresses, and registration numbers. For everyday citizens, this means that purchasing certain fertilizers would require official registration and the disclosure of personal information, while businesses handling the material would be subject to federal inspections to ensure compliance with security protocols.