Elon Musk sells flamethrowers despite deadly wildfire season
Digital Reporter
Thursday, February 1, 2018, 2:31 PM - In four days' time, billionaire tech guru Elon Musk has sold 20,000 flame throwers to the tune of $10 million dollars in an effort to raise funds for his high-speed tunnel endeavour, The Boring Company.
The devices, which sold for $500 apiece, are now out of stock. Each thrower comes with a free fire extinguisher and users have to agree to safe-use conditions before their product is shipped in the spring.
Musk marketed the flamethrowers on social media through a series of light-hearted posts.
"When the zombie apocalypse happens, you'll be glad you bought a flamethrower!" Reads a tweet. "Works against hordes of the undead or your money back!"
In an Instagram post, which garnered more than 3 million views, Musk is seen playing with one of the flamethrowers indoors.
"Don’t do this," reads the caption. "Also, I want to be clear that a flamethrower is a super terrible idea. Definitely don’t buy one. Unless you like fun."
Sale of flamethrower 'insensitive' following California's historic wildfire season
Miguel Santiago, a politician serving in the California State Assembly, plans to file legislation to block the use of the flamethrowers.
"If this is real, I’m outraged and you should be too," he tweeted, two days before Musk stopped accepting orders.
"If this is a joke, then it’s a terribly insensitive one given that we’re coming off of the worst wildfire season in history."
California's wildfires cost an estimated $180 million in damages. The burn scars and lack of vegetation left behind paved the way for a destructive mudslide in Montecito.
Musk owns several properties in California.
"Like most Americans, I am in awe of Mr. Musk’s genius—the brains behind Tesla, Paypal, Solar City, and SpaceX," Santiago says in a statement.
"But as President Truman and Stan Lee have taught us all, “With great power comes great responsibility... There are many times in which technology and inventions benefit society, but are not made available to the public."
Flamethrowers are legal to use in Canada and in every U.S. state with the exception of Maryland. In California, they can be purchased with a state permit.
