The Fight Over Fireworks - Should Fireworks Be Banned?
The purchase or possession of fireworks by residents is banned in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Delaware. In those states, you cannot legally purchase, possess or use fireworks. The law in Pennsylvania is a bit different as residents can purchase fireworks as long as they have a permit. However, Pennsylvania is host to a number of fireworks stores and those stores are not prohibited from selling to people from out of state.
There is no required permit for those out of state shoppers. So what happens for example is that New Jersey residents drive across the Delaware River to Pennsylvania, purchase fireworks, and then use them illegally in New Jersey. . New Jersey lawmakers want to change that situation as they feel it is a public safety issue. After all, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) over 9000 people a year are injuried as a result of fireworks and almost half of those are children under the age of fourteen. New Jersey lawmakers recently asked Pennsylvania to change their laws and stop the practice of selling to out of state residents. Pennsylvania officials and their firework factories are suggesting that New Jersey change its own laws to solve the problem, rather than looking to Pennsylvania to take responsibility.
For information on where states falls in terms of fireworks laws, see the American Pyrotechnics Association website. According to the site, the great majority, 39 states plus Washington DC do not prohibit consumer sales and use of fireworks. A few states (IL, IA, ME, OH, VT, AZ) allow for novelty items such as sparklers. Allowing novelty fireworks sounds fair, and may be really all most people want. But sparkers, which are generally used by children, are a primary source for the injuries to children. Sparklers burn at a temperature of 2000 degrees so the risk of injury has to be taken seriously.
Published by Veronica
Love to write, explore, laugh and read and walk the beach. Interests include hiking, travel, photography, mental health, jewlery making and books. In the real world, I'm a mental health professional. View profile
- Law Creates Definitions for Legal FireworksConnecticut changes legal definitions on "fireworks" and Old Saybrook Fire Marhsal explains what is legal and what is not. Fireworks.com serves as an encylopedia for all types of fireworks if you want to learn more.
Many States Have Passed Laws Banning Cell Phone Use by Provisional DriversCell phones distract teenage drivers, and lawmakers are trying to solve this problem. New legislation banning cell phone use while driving is being passed in multiple states an...
4th of July Fireworks in NYCBest places to watch the 2008 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in NYC
Celebrating 4th of July in New York CityWith plenty of things to do and plenty of things to see, New York City on the 4th of July is where you should be- Fun Family and Kid Friendly Game Ideas for Your 4th of July Party!The 4th of July is almost here. You have your party planned, but do you have some exciting games to keep the little ones thinking you are the coolest relative in the family? These game ideas will give you jump start i...
- Using Fireworks Safely
- 4th of July Cakes and Desserts
- Start Your Own 4th of July Celebrations This Year!
- 4th of July Celebration - What Do the Colors Mean
- Where to Find July 4th MySpace Layouts, Graphics and Backgrounds
- How to Buy Fireworks, and Use Them Safely
- Fireworks Safety, Do's and Don'ts
- The debate over fireworks
- Should fireworks be banned
Almost half of all firework injuries are sustained by children under the age of 14.
Nine states prohibit the possession and use of fireworks for consumer use.
12 Comments
Post a CommentSorry LastComment Lol..#
HaHa First Commentt Funnyness :L
so your dog dont like to hear my fireworks a measley one day a year, well i dont like to hear your dog yelpping n barking 365 days a year. we really need to BAN DOGS. because they actully maim n kill many many times more (look it up) than a couple snap pops
What about everyone elses right to enjoy themselfs despite some busy body complainers who think the world should bow to them and thier wishes over a national holiday?
Please don't try to make me feel bad for celebrating our countrys independance in the traditional way by setting off a few fireworks to entertain my friends and family.
What about everyone elses right to enjoy themselfs despite some busy body complainers who think the world should bow to them and thier wishes over a national
First off I just want to mention that the CDC, doesn't know d*ck about fireworks. The alphabet soup agency that the author was attempting to referance is the CSPC. Fireworks aren't the bird flu, they are a consumer item.
Secondly to this "American". I'm sorry about your dog, and I'm real sorry that a few bottle rockets may trigger PTSD in some of our vets. But last I checked there are such things as insulated windows, doggie volumes, and acceptance of your fellow man. Just because you "don't go shooting off your shotgun at 3am" doesn't mean everyone else in this country should somehow magicly know that you have an "abused dog" and that it freaks out over one night a year. Also, last I checked, roman candles don't sound like IEDs or RPG's. I understand that there are some people who set off fireworks begining at the first signs of summer, but there are thoes of us who respect the peace and quiet and keep things to one or two weekends a year (4th of july and new years eve). Please don
Last but definitely not least. Have you considered the feelings of the men and women returning from the war torn countries? The reason we are supposed to show patriotism. Think for a moment, you have been under fire for months or years. Each time you hear a gun blast you must duck fearing for your life or you think of one of your comrades falling. Now shell shocked, all returning service people are, you come back to your beloved United States of America. You have finally begun to relax again. When all of a sudden "BOOM"!! PTSD is not kind, you jump and you would have fresh and very vivid images of the war all over again!! The feelings have suddenly returned.
As an American I realize that choice is one of our most basic and important rights. Please make the right choice. I am all for watching pretty colors in the sky. Elk City puts on a great fireworks show every year. I have enjoyed it for 30 years myself.
IF YOU LOVE OUR COUNTRY PLEASE DO NOT TRASH IT. PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF
. Citizens who love their country are usually the ones to clean up behind these pigs. If you love our country then why leave it messy?
I have a small dog which I adopted from the shelter. She had been abused in the past. She is terrified of the noises made by fireworks, even when they are set off blocks away. I have to spend hours comforting her during this time of the year. I have mentioned this to other pet owners and they say the same.
We have not had enough rain to keep the grass, and neighbors' roofs, from being dry. If you really feel the need to shoot off fireworks, please confine it to the 4th of July. Your neighbors will need to be vigilant against their homes being burnt down only 1 day a year. People in Canute started shooting them off the first day of June!! I do not come near your home at 3 am and fire my shotgun into the air. If you love our country, you should be concerned about your neighbors' feelings.
Last but definitely not least. Have you considered the fee
Fourth of July Patriotism?
I consider myself a patriotic American. I have made contributions to numerous charities. I have donated to help our service men and women. I donated time and money to the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Cordell tornado, Katrina victims and other emergency situations. I donate to the food bank and have cut my hair and sent it to Locks of Love. I know that others do the same and I appreciate them for it.
I have set off fireworks myself and have been to firework shows. In the past couple of years I have began to wonder if the fireworks are set off because the people love their country, or they just want to see pretty colors in the sky. I see the mess that is left behind at the park after the spectators have set their fireworks off on the 4th. Thank you to the city, they spend time and money cleaning this mess up. I have seen the mess left at the lakes and in the country after the fireworks are illegally set off there. Citizens who love their country are usual
i ned a topic for a debate for tomorrow