WASHINGTON - Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi's effort to exempt hobby rocketeers from the homeland security law is under fire from two Democratic senators from the states most affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"Sometimes you see things that make you scratch your head in wonderment and this is one of them," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "In essence, the bill would create a new loophole which would allow terrorists to stockpile explosives."

Schumer and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., have stopped action on a bill, S. 724 , sponsored by the Wyoming Republican that would exempt small quantities of rocket propellant from criminal bans on explosives possession.

Under the law, hobbyists must spend $100 to get a permit, undergo a background check and be fingerprinted before purchasing rocket fuel. Enzi, who launched hobby rockets when he was in high school, says the regulations would make it virtually impossible to enjoy the hobby.

The former owner of N-Z Shoes in Gillette described his bill as "reasonable, responsible approach" that did not represent a threat to the nation's security.

Enzi and the two Democrats fundamentally disagree about the impact of permitting people to purchase up to two pounds of black powder and .9 pounds of the rocket fuel ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP).

Schumer and Lautenberg noted that there is nothing in the legislation that would stop a terrorist from stockpiling black powder and rocket fuel in two and .9 pound increments.

"We have to ask ourselves, 'What are we doing?'" Lautenberg said. "Why would we make it easier for terrorists to make weapons. It's not just irresponsible. It's crazy. We have reasonable restrictions in place and there is no reason to change them."

Lautenberg noted that people need to get licenses to go fishing or drive a car. Enzi responded by noting that getting a fishing or drivers license does not require paying $100 or going through an extensive background check.

Two weeks ago, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., tried to bring up Enzi's bill using a procedure known as unanimous consent, which would have allowed it to pass without a debate or a roll call vote. Schumer and Lautenberg opposed the effort and have placed a "hold" on the bill. All 100 senators have the right to place a hold on a bill and by doing so they stall all action on a measure.

Enzi noted that the unanimous consent procedure is often used for minor, non-controversial legislation.

"In light of the major issues we have before us we cannot devote floor time to this," Enzi said. "I do a lot of bills each year by unanimous consent."

At a Tuesday press conference Schumer and Lautenberg stood next to a seven-foot-tall rocket with a silver barrel and black tip.

"Model rocketry is a hobby enjoyed by many, but it's not worth compromising our safety," Lautenberg said. "Inconvenience is something that we all put up with to ensure our safety."

Schumer said that a model rocket could be used as vehicle to deliver nuclear and biological weapons.

"The bottom line is that some of the rockets people are building are not rockets, they are missiles," Schumer said.

Former Senate Republican leader Bob Dole once joked that the most dangerous place to stand in Washington, D.C., was between Schumer and a TV camera. Enzi expressed a similar sentiment in dismissing the theatrics of the seven-foot tall rocket.

"There would be a much easier way to deliver a payload than to build a seven-foot rocket with .9 pounds of APCP," Enzi said. "That was a very dramatic display, but not filled with a lot of fact."

Although Schumer said he and Lautenberg would be willing to sit down with Enzi and try to work out a solution, Enzi said Lautenberg had not returned a phone call. He said he had a conversation with Schumer on the floor of the Senate on Monday.

Enzi said the New York Democrat brought up other issues about restrictions on black powder and explosives. Since he was a member of the House of Representatives in the 1980s, Schumer has pushed efforts to attach chemicals, known as "taggants" to propellants and explosives so police can uncover information about the weapons or explosives used in terrorist. The National Rifle Association and other gun groups oppose the effort.

Enzi said that Schumer is trying to use his bill to get the Senate to move a taggant measure.

"They would like to do something about it, but this horse isn't big enough to pull that wagon," Enzi said.

Schumer's spokesman Phil Singer said that Schumer does not have an ulterior motive.

"This is not part of a larger effort," Singer said. "It might have come up, but putting that aside, making it easier for people to get these materials is a concern for us."