Fire starting flare

A fire starting flare launcher for a flare comprising

• A. a barrel suitable for holding both a flare and a propulsion cartridge;
• B. a firing pin assembly which operably connects to said barrel and where said firing pin assembly comprises:
• i. a housing;
• ii. a hammer slidably mounted within said housing;
• iii. a firing pin rigidly connected to said hammer;
• iv. a thumb release attached to said hammer so as to slide said hammer within said housing;
• and
• v. a spring within said housing such that said hammer comprises said spring when said thumb release is moved in one direction and upon freeing of the thumb release said spring returns said hammer to its position before it is moved by said thumb release, and
• c. a propulsion cartridge placed between said firing pin assembly and said flare such that activation of the firing pin assembly ignites said propulsion cartridge such that it launches said flare.