Sending the teenagers to the country because of fireworks, yes or no?

[Darren_Garrison]

@PoppaSan

As someone else that lives rural, last night for about an hour after sundown was a steady rumble of fireworks. All the way from bottle rockets launched next to my chair to those that sounded like an approaching storm over the next hill. My Lab either sits with his head in my lap or lays inside the house on his pillow.

Been like that the last 2 or 3 nights here, too. So far no bloodcurdling cries of agony to be heard.

[elfkin477]

@PoppaSan

Most places I’ve read about, fireworks laws are state laws, not necessarily municipal. Thus if they are illegal in the city, they are most likely just as illegal in the country.

It probably varies by state. My state has batshit crazy fireworks laws: by state law it’s legal for all adults to purchase fireworks. However, 85% of towns/cities have ordinances against actually using them.

[Loach]

@kayaker

Yeah, July 4th is special.

Well it’s a holiday so you are talking minimal staffing. Nosy neighbors who weren’t invited to the picnic calling in reports of fireworks all over town. Each unit getting sent from call to call to call hoping nothing important happens at the same time. If in the middle of that you arrest someone for possessing fireworks and bring them in you’ll be tied up for a while. One person will be very unhappy with you and his name starts with the letters lieutenant. Alledgedly, so I’ve heard.

[Biotop]

@Darren_Garrison

Been like that the last 2 or 3 nights here, too. So far no bloodcurdling cries of agony to be heard.

You must not live near here.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

[Chronos]

Quoth Martini Enfield:
Sending your teenagers juuuuust over the border into Dogpatch County with a ute tray full of fireworks, a crate of matches and a cheery wave is a terrible idea. Going with them (or ensuring they’re properly supervised) and giving them the opportunity to let off fireworks in that environment is a way better idea, and also creates the opportunity for a fun family experience and chance to connect with said teenagers too.

I was wondering how long it would take someone to point this out. If you want to take your kids out to the country, to teach them how to do things they couldn’t do in the city, that’s fine. But just sending your kids off with a bunch of other teenagers, to do whatever teenagers in large undersupervised groups are inclined to do? That’s just asking for trouble.

Quoth Darren Garrison:

In a broad sense, I suppose I think that things that have a significant, foreseeable potential of doing harm to an unconnected third party should be regulated or possibly illegal, and that things that are most likely to only harm willing and voluntary participants should be left alone.

So if you agree that fireworks should be regulated or possibly illegal, then what’s the debate here?

Oh, and don’t read too much into the proximity of fireworks stands. Here in Ohio, it’s illegal to set off amateur fireworks everywhere in the state, but it’s legal to sell them everywhere. You just have to sign an affidavit that you’ll leave the state before setting them off (never mind that they’re illegal in all of the adjoining states, too).

[Loach]

@elfkin477

It probably varies by state. My state has batshit crazy fireworks laws: by state law it’s legal for all adults to purchase fireworks. However, 85% of towns/cities have ordinances against actually using them.

My experience is a couple years old but I think it’s still the same.

In Pennsylvania there are multiple fireworks stores right over the Delaware. Fireworks are illegal in New Jersey. Most fireworks are illegal for Pennsylvania residents to buy in Pennsylvania. If you have a New Jersey license you can buy any kind of weapon of mass destruction in Pennsylvania as long as you sign a form saying you won’t be bringing them into NJ or any other state where it’s illegal.

[ZPG_Zealot]

@Loach

I am not going to advocate anyone breaking the law but in 20 years I have yet to see anyone busted for illegal fireworks. Just saying.

The police broke up some parties, and made arrests for fireworks about five years ago which IMHO means it is our turn for their attention probably coming up soon.

[Darren_Garrison]

@Chronos

So if you agree that fireworks should be regulated or possibly illegal, then what’s the debate here?

If you believe that about fireworks then you are being as hilariously, hyperbolicly pearl-clutching as some of the other posters.