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Of course, it could also have something to do with the fact that Ver was convicted of selling explosives on eBay, that's something I'd think most governments (not just the U.S.) wouldn't take too lightly.. but no, let's forget about any plausible explanations based on long-standing U.S. laws and policies and just assume it's a conspiracy against Bitcoin.
They were M-80 firecracker like things. Likely they would peel the flesh off one's hand. Probably if fun toys like that were still easily available there would be somewhat more injuries, but also somewhat more wisdom as well...for those who made it through adolescence at least. After all there are still a lot of ways to hurt oneself which are perfectly legal yet.
I've got relatively little against the guy for selling the things on e-bay. Storing 50 lbs of them in one's residential apartment, however, is a whole different kettle of fish. 10 months in the pokey for it might be about right for that. There is a huge difference between knowingly buying something like an M-80 and unknowingly getting your face blown off if the idiot upstairs has a box of explosives in his closet right over your bed.