Why Are Certain Fireworks Illegal in Some States?

If you’ve tried to buy fireworks online, you may have discovered they are illegal to purchase where you live, even if the company is located elsewhere. Have you ever wondered why some states implement stricter fireworks laws than others? Why do some states make fireworks illegal to the public? 

Buying fireworks over the internet or phone is forbidden in some states. Acquaint yourself with state laws before you make a purchase online. 

Fire Dangers

One of the main reasons why some states have made it illegal for the public to light off fireworks comes down to fire hazards. The hot summer season brings about a high risk of forest fires. You have accidents in the past where fireworks caused millions of dollars in damages. In Los Angeles, a gender reveal party firework in 2020 burned 7,000 acres and killed a firefighter. The fires forced 21,000 people from their homes. 

State Limits

Because of the risk of fires that can quickly uproot the lives of thousands, some states have made it illegal to sell fireworks of any kind. Other states put tight limitations on the types of fireworks available. They only allow fireworks from licensed professionals and in controlled spaces. 

Safety Precautions

State legislature tightly controls fireworks because of safety. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports an average of 12,900 injuries from fireworks each year. In 2017, they reported eight deaths related to fireworks. People who don’t understand how to use them could suffer serious burns or eye injuries. 

Many people think of sparklers as innocent, but this firework burns at 2,000 degrees. That temperature could melt tin with a melting point at 450 degrees, and even copper at 1981°F. Never treat fireworks as toys. You must act responsibly with even the ones deemed as safe. 

The federal government banned some fireworks like cherry bombs and M-80s in 1966 because of the large number of people injured from handling them. Some people drank copious amounts of alcohol and handled fireworks afterward, which as you can imagine, led to trouble. 

Laws Take a Retroactive Approach

Some state laws exist against fireworks because of retroactive laws, rather than proactive ones. This means some laws exist because of past experiences. It looks at how to deal with future scenarios and lowering the risk of bad experiences. 

In some cases, it only takes one or two irresponsible people to cause the legislature to implement stricter laws, but you have other cases where it happens on a widespread level over and over. 

Disturbing the Peace

Firecrackers and smaller fireworks get banned in some states because people light them off late at night without regard for others. It disturbs the peace. Smaller fireworks often transmit an exploding noise at between 150 to 175 decibels. This negatively impacts your hearing over time. 

Fireworks emit this noise because of a chemical reaction where you have a buildup of heat and gas. The blast releases because of large amounts of energy within a small volume. Some people dislike fireworks because of how it sends their pets into a blind panic. It can have a negative impact on all animals. 

Despite restrictions in some states, you have 28 states where the legislature considers all or most fireworks legal. You may want to check the individual legalities of your state. For example, Minnesota has unique laws where only consumer fireworks that don’t explode or fly through the air are legal. You have other states like California where they put specific restrictions and allowances on certain cities. 

Be aware of how while your state might allow it, some cities will have specific limitations that you may want to acquaint yourself with. Getting caught with illegal fireworks can lead to a $2,500 fine and up to six months in jail.