I live in Massachusetts, which is one of the most politically-liberal states in the United States (I shall not be any more specific than that about my place of residence, as I wish to maintain my anonymity online). Most of the time, the fact that this state is so strongly liberal is a positive trait, but there are some times when that is also a negative trait, in my mind.
I shall not discuss every reason for which I dislike my state being so liberal in this thread, except for a certain issue: fireworks and similar incendiary devices.
Currently, the sale of fireworks to private citizens and the ownership of fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. Obviously, this law does not stop citizens of that state from traveling to New Hampshire or Rhode Island, where the sale and possession of fireworks are legal, purchasing the items there, bringing them back to Massachusetts, and using them, there.
From what I have observed, the laws regarding fireworks are rarely enforced in this state, but I still believe that it is ridiculous that such laws even exist. The reason for them existing is that such devices pose a hazard to anyone who uses them improperly, but I am a strong proponent for legalizing the sale and possession of fireworks in my home state.
The first reason for which I have this belief is that, while fireworks can be dangerous, firearms, which are usually much more dangerous, are legal in this state. With proper education and training, injuries or deaths caused by or related to fireworks can be kept to a minimum (obviously, they can never be completely eliminated, but they can be kept at a low level of occurrence). Second, the money spent on such items shall help the economy of the state. Since citizens of Massachusetts need to travel to other states to obtain their fireworks, the money that they spend goes to the other states, rather than their own state, which is very unfortunate, in my mind. Just as the government collects tax money from alcohol and tobacco (and marijuana, if that is ever legalized in this state), so, too, can it collect tax money from fireworks, as well.
What does everyone else say about this? For users who live in Massachusetts, do you believe that the sale and ownership of fireworks should be legalized? Why or why not?
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“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Well, first of all I don't think legalization of Fireworks is a Liberal/Conservative issue.
Secondly, Michigan Just recently changed their fireworks laws to allow private citizens to possess and use all manner of fireworks that aren't restricted professional grade fireworks. Before the change Michigan allowed any fireworks that stayed on the ground and had projectiles that shot no more than 6 feet in the air (aka, spark shower things were fine, any kind of rocket was not fine). Now, anyone can have small - medium sized fireworks.
The downside to this change -- now we have people setting off fireworks late at night in the middle of our subdivision pretty much all summer long. Should it be illegal for them to do that? I dunno, probably not, but it is annoying. In my opinion if common practice and usage of fireworks leads to unsafe conditions than it should be illegal, if its just a mild annoyance (as in my case) than I shouldn't prohibit other people from having their fun.
All things considered the world didn't end, and there weren't nearly as many fires as I expected resulting from fireworks in unsafe locations. I'd say legalize it, but allow local city ordinances to place Time/place restrictions on their usage. So, A city couldn't outtright ban fireworks, but they could say no launching them within 10 yards of a building, and not between 12:00 PM and 8:00 AM. or something similar.
The downside to this change -- now we have people setting off fireworks late at night in the middle of our subdivision pretty much all summer long.
They'll get tired of it in a couple years, then it'll just be for a week or so around the Fourth. That's how it was when the law was changed here.
I grew up in MN right across the river from Wisconsin. Fireworks were illegal in MN but legal in Wisconsin. Every year around the 4th the Wisconsin side of the bridges would suddenly be surrounded by fireworks stands. Minnesotans would go get some fireworks and for a few days have their fun, then within a day or two after the fourth it was over. I think partially because everyone knew it was kind of an unwritten rule that the cops did not care right around the fourth but if someone complained any other time you could get in trouble.
I think states could easily make fireworks only legal for a few days around the fourth and virtually nobody would complain.
Why would you want fireworks legalized? They are so annoying. Honestly, I feel like it is more of a nuisance issue than a danger issue. Given that, it should probably be decided at a more local level unless an environmental argument could be made against them, which might be the case.
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One of these day I have to get myself organizized.
Why would you want fireworks legalized? They are so annoying. Honestly, I feel like it is more of a nuisance issue than a danger issue. Given that, it should probably be decided at a more local level unless an environmental argument could be made against them, which might be the case.
In that case, why not make firearms illegal, since they also use gunpowder? I want fireworks legalized so that I can purchase them and use them, obviously.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
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I shall not discuss every reason for which I dislike my state being so liberal in this thread, except for a certain issue: fireworks and similar incendiary devices.
Currently, the sale of fireworks to private citizens and the ownership of fireworks by private citizens is illegal in Massachusetts. Obviously, this law does not stop citizens of that state from traveling to New Hampshire or Rhode Island, where the sale and possession of fireworks are legal, purchasing the items there, bringing them back to Massachusetts, and using them, there.
From what I have observed, the laws regarding fireworks are rarely enforced in this state, but I still believe that it is ridiculous that such laws even exist. The reason for them existing is that such devices pose a hazard to anyone who uses them improperly, but I am a strong proponent for legalizing the sale and possession of fireworks in my home state.
The first reason for which I have this belief is that, while fireworks can be dangerous, firearms, which are usually much more dangerous, are legal in this state. With proper education and training, injuries or deaths caused by or related to fireworks can be kept to a minimum (obviously, they can never be completely eliminated, but they can be kept at a low level of occurrence). Second, the money spent on such items shall help the economy of the state. Since citizens of Massachusetts need to travel to other states to obtain their fireworks, the money that they spend goes to the other states, rather than their own state, which is very unfortunate, in my mind. Just as the government collects tax money from alcohol and tobacco (and marijuana, if that is ever legalized in this state), so, too, can it collect tax money from fireworks, as well.
What does everyone else say about this? For users who live in Massachusetts, do you believe that the sale and ownership of fireworks should be legalized? Why or why not?
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Secondly, Michigan Just recently changed their fireworks laws to allow private citizens to possess and use all manner of fireworks that aren't restricted professional grade fireworks. Before the change Michigan allowed any fireworks that stayed on the ground and had projectiles that shot no more than 6 feet in the air (aka, spark shower things were fine, any kind of rocket was not fine). Now, anyone can have small - medium sized fireworks.
The downside to this change -- now we have people setting off fireworks late at night in the middle of our subdivision pretty much all summer long. Should it be illegal for them to do that? I dunno, probably not, but it is annoying. In my opinion if common practice and usage of fireworks leads to unsafe conditions than it should be illegal, if its just a mild annoyance (as in my case) than I shouldn't prohibit other people from having their fun.
All things considered the world didn't end, and there weren't nearly as many fires as I expected resulting from fireworks in unsafe locations. I'd say legalize it, but allow local city ordinances to place Time/place restrictions on their usage. So, A city couldn't outtright ban fireworks, but they could say no launching them within 10 yards of a building, and not between 12:00 PM and 8:00 AM. or something similar.
candidus inperti; si nil, his utere mecum.
I grew up in MN right across the river from Wisconsin. Fireworks were illegal in MN but legal in Wisconsin. Every year around the 4th the Wisconsin side of the bridges would suddenly be surrounded by fireworks stands. Minnesotans would go get some fireworks and for a few days have their fun, then within a day or two after the fourth it was over. I think partially because everyone knew it was kind of an unwritten rule that the cops did not care right around the fourth but if someone complained any other time you could get in trouble.
I think states could easily make fireworks only legal for a few days around the fourth and virtually nobody would complain.
In that case, why not make firearms illegal, since they also use gunpowder? I want fireworks legalized so that I can purchase them and use them, obviously.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt