[Perdogg]

I cannot believe sparklers will land you jail. Unbelievable. I am glad I don't live in the People's Republic of Maryland.

[Paleo Conservative]

They can take my fireworks when they pry them from my cold dead fingers.

[xcamel]

"The Nanny States of America"

happy friggin birthday....

[Vision]

PG and Mont county are like that. Here in Baltimore, fireworks seem to go off about any time there is need of a celebration.

[marsh_of_mists]

I loved sparklers when I was younger. Banning them is just another case of bureaucrats notknowing how to mind their own business.

[Lunatic Fringe]

"Celebrate the independence of your nation by blowing up a small part of it."

[don-o]

When they pry my sparklers from my cold dead hands

[catpuppy]

People who get caught with fireworks, even sparklers, could face a $1,000 fine and six months in jail

The Nanny Motto: "We know what's best for you and will throw you in jail should you disagree."

[Hardastarboard]

even sparklers

Nazis. Yes, I said it, and if it ever applied, it's here.

[Just A Nobody]

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- If you own fireworks in Montgomery or Prince George's counties.....People who get caught with fireworks, even sparklers, could face a $1,000 fine and six months in jail

Pffffft! ;*)

[elkfersupper]

Setting off banned fireworks on Independence day has become a massive civil disobedience exercise.

Here's hoping the movement catches on for other things.

[staytrue]

Not only that, a good part of maryland went underwater for a brief time last week. Almost zero chance of a accidental brush fire being started.

[CDHart]

You should have seen the display at our house last evening. Had to celebrate on Sat. as many were not available on Tuesday. Almost as good as a professional display and set off safely over our small lake (big pond). But we live in Missouri, outside the city limits.

Carolyn

[ExpatGator]

What a pussyfied state. How low we have fallen...

[AmericaUnited]

I would buy a $2 box of sparklers and turn them in to get the $30-$40 ticket.

[rightwinggoth]

So not even setting off fireworks, but simply possessing them will get you fined and put in jail? Crazy. I'm not even going to ask about the gun laws in these counties.

[Barnacle]

Maryland... And I thought Illinois was bad.

[Barnacle]

Pete Piringer, spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, says last year alone, 12,000 fireworks were turned in to fire investigators.

Some kid must have wanted to go to Six Flags pretty bad to sacrifice half of his stash like that.

[The_Reader_David]

Whenever July 4th or November 5th approach, I like to muse on the fact that English speaking people everywhere set off fireworks to commemorate acts of treason against the British Crown. Those of us not subject to the Crown commemorate an eminently successful one, those still subject to the Crown commemorate an unsuccessful one.

[Paladin2]

I'm thinkin' there's a 2nd Amendment penumbra covering fireworks. My kids can't believe that we can't buy firecrackers or bottle rockets. Heck, when I was a kid, they could be purchased in Canada and smuggled into the US!

[Road Warrior ‘04]

John Adams, a signer of the Declaration, our first vice president and second president, urged that July Fourth “be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” So, go forth. Celebrate. Pursue happiness. It is the patriotic thing to do.

Except in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, that is!