Is it time to ban the sale of fireworks?

[MintyRox]

There's really no reason to be selling what are, in effect, smalls bombs to members of the public.  Every year around now it's like a warzone with explosions everywhere, smoke filling the air and thick headed teenagers causing havoc.  Bonfire night should be called bomb-fire night.  The stories in the news of people throwing fireworks at emergency services personnel, which happens every year, are ridiculous and these kids are morons.

Not to mention it's distressing for thousands of pets and wild animals and completely unnecessary.  Instead of celebrating an ancient attempt to blow up parliament by blowing things up, we should all rally and protest on November 5th each year to try and get the current shower of shits to get their act together instead!

[John]

No if you are physically unable to just close your windows on a freezing night too when fireworks begin then the sale of fireworks is the least of your problems.

[ladsnet]

You must have some serious hardcore military grade quadruple glazed windows if just closing them stops the noise of fireworks.


I think every year since I remember (the 80s!) there's been the 'lets ban fireworks' thing. Won't happen.

[Welsh Cake]

Yes, I think it is time to just have organised displays. The animals get terrified

[Tiuri]

I think every year since I remember (the 80s!) there's been the 'lets ban fireworks' thing. Won't happen.

In the Netherlands there's - obviously - no Guy Fawkes Night so all talk about fireworks relates to New Year's Eve. Talks about banning fireworks have been going on for the last few years and this year, for the first time, 12 cities and towns are actually banning fireworks. Like Ladsnet, up until a few few years ago, I also would've said "won't happen" but the times they are a-changin'.

Read an article about this decision

[MintyRox]

I agree it will likely never happen unfortunately. Several countries have banned them though, including Ireland. I don't object to professionally managed firework displays, I just don't see why ordinary members of the public should need to buy them personally.

[Jwb52z]

In a lot of the US, you can't buy fireworks legally if you live in a rural area because of the fire risk since we have so much drought now. There are a lot more huge, organized fireworks displays around the nation for the one holiday a year that fireworks are used routinely. Federal law in the US says that having unlawful fireworks can get you up to a 5-year prison sentence and considered a felony. There are a number of states which don't have very strict laws within their borders, though. In many states, you have to be 18 to buy them, but a couple are as young as 12, for some crazy reason, and a few are 15 or 16.

[ladsnet]

It wouldn't be so bad if people stuck to setting them off the few days round the 5th and at sensible hours.
Instead we get morons setting them off all month and at 2am in the morning.

[Parsifal]

Is it time to ban the sale of fireworks?

How strong is the industry politically and their lobby?  How much sales do they generate?  (£££)  It might be an uphill battle.

I think every year since I remember (the 80s!) there's been the 'lets ban fireworks' thing. Won't happen.

Not to mention it's distressing for thousands of pets and wild animals and completely unnecessary.

Years ago I had a dog (German shepherd) who would spend the 4th of July holiday hiding in the shower.  I could only take her out for a walk at 5am or maybe around noon.  After that it became a war zone here.
So one day I said: "I'm getting out of here".  So far about 10 years straight every 4th of July holiday I put her in a kennel and went to Canada for a long weekend (it's much more civilized up there, especially Toronto).  When Giuliani became mayor he put a stop to it.  (Giuliani!!!  He did a couple of good things before he got sucked into the Trump sphere).  So things got peaceful and I stopped going to Canada.  Lately the street fireworks are picking up again here in Manhattan.  This past 4th of July I considered going to Canada, but Amtrak had suspended service to Montreal and Toronto until the last minute, and then it was too late).  I didn't want to fly because of Covid.  Maybe next year.

[cov182004]

yes, my dog gets very distressed and also becomes destrutive trying to get in the tiniest of spaces. I dread this time of year

[Maro]

I’d be all for only having fireworks at an organised display, rather than just any knobhead being able to buy them.

[ladsnet]

We didn't have a fireworks fmf logo this year as I completely agree with you all and didn't want to scare your pets.


It was not because I forgot.
Honest.

[MintyRox]

Thanks @ladsnet that was very considerate of you

I have a chihuahua and he gets terrified at this time of year. He thinks we're under attack and trembles the whole time fireworks are going off. Chi's shiver a lot anyway, whether from the cold or nerves, but during November he spends most of the time tucked under one of us with his legs pressed into us and just vibrates, while he stares at the window with wide eyes and his ears pressed back. It's heart breaking.

My fat ginger cat on the other hand couldn't give a shit. If he can't eat it he's not interested

[loverboy2601]

in the current climate - what people are literally doing is blowing money up in smoke.. fireworks cost fair bit - i would rather you give that money to a food bank..

just because we have been doing something for ages doesnt mean its ok - fireworks for hallowween/guy fawkes.. i mean why not change..