Gas generant compositions containing copper nitrate complexes

A gas generant composition comprising

• A) between about 30 and about 60 wt % of a fuel component, at least about 60 wt % of said fuel component comprising a cupric nitrate ligand of the formula:
• Cu(L).sub.2 (NO.sub.3).sub.2 ;
• where L is a ligand selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine, biuret, ethanol amine, and mixtures thereof, and
• B) between about 40 and about 70 wt % of an oxidizer component, said weight percentages of A) and B) being calculated relative to the total of A) and B) equalling 100 wt %.