Flamethrowers are not specifically regulated in the states other than in Maryland and California, and are not considered firearms by the federal government. It's possible that applications include wildfire control and prevention, snow and ice removal, and entertainment and SFX. That according to the manufacturer, the company that goes by the name of throw flame. But most of all, according to the Ars technical reviews, it sets things on fire for urban legends and stranger truths. I'm Bob Dennis