OhighOpyro

During a firework safety seminar that I attended, the instructor placed a whole raw chicken on a 3" gun. It blew the fucker apart and made a nice mist of chicken parts. I'm pretty sure a 3" shell would do a little more damage than just shatter some ribs. Just my personal experience/opinion.

Thanks for doing the AMA.

Depends on the state he is in. Some states require an individual to pass a written test to become an "exhibitor", or have background test requirements to become an assistant (under a licenced exhibitor), before they are permitted to handle/discharge 1.3G in that state. Unless he is going for his Federal Explosives License, it should cost less than $100 to become an exhibitor and less than $50 to become an assistant. Just check with your local Office of the State Fire Marshall to find out the requirements.