Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The fear of fireworks, Not having the freedom to celebrate freedom
Washington Times ^ | Friday, July 3, 2009 | editorial

Posted on 07/02/2009 9:26:32 PM PDT by JohnRLott

Americans will celebrate their freedom on Independence Day with a certain irony tomorrow. Not all Americans have the freedom to celebrate the holiday with the traditional festive bang. That's because many places ban fireworks.

Although about 94 million of us live in states that allow all sorts of fireworks and firecracker use, 43 million Americans live in six states - including New York and New Jersey - where you need a permit to even light a sparkler. California bans some types of fireworks and allows cities to expand what is prohibited. Safety is supposedly the major concern of those who ban our celebratory backyard light-and-noise shows, but their fears are overblown.

Banning personal use of fireworks may actually result in more accidental fires because some of those who try to avoid getting caught set them off in remote fields, causing fires that take longer to discover.

This issue is badly distorted by the media. . . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government
KEYWORDS: fireworks; lping; nannystate; regulation; washingtontimes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last
To: KoRn; Abathar; Abcdefg; Abram; Abundy; akatel; albertp; AlexandriaDuke; Alexander Rubin; ...
Government can protect people from only so much, and if we banned all the products that caused more deaths and injuries than fireworks, there would be virtually nothing left to use.



Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
(View past Libertarian pings here)
21 posted on 07/03/2009 7:35:54 AM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bamahead
Thank you, bamahead.

Happy 4th to you!

Now go out and BLOW UP FIREWORKS!

22 posted on 07/03/2009 7:37:54 AM PDT by GOP_Lady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

Comment #23 Removed by Moderator

To: KoRn

I suspect that the Nannies in government will soon ban this practice as well.


24 posted on 07/03/2009 7:45:34 AM PDT by Born Conservative (Bohicaville: http://bohicaville.wordpress.com/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: GOP_Lady

Thank you GOP_Lady!

Interesting tidbit: Large fireworks (ie: all the fun ones) are illegal in Georgia.

So, the substitute among some citizens here is often to unload a few clips into the air for effect :)

Now in Alabama, you can lauch starburst shells about the size of a basketball, and it’s perfectly fine! :)

I’ll be in Alabama this weekend!


25 posted on 07/03/2009 7:55:06 AM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64
"We used to have firefights using roman candles, and used sling shots to launch cherry bombs.

We did similar stuff with fireworks lol. We used to have an annual family fireworks war on Christmas Eve.

26 posted on 07/03/2009 7:55:50 AM PDT by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: bamahead

LOL.

Here is Ohio, you can BUY them, but not USE them.

A couple days after a fourth of July at the law firm where I work, one attorney asked another if they lit up some illegal fireworks for their kids. LOL.

LET FREEDOM RING!


27 posted on 07/03/2009 8:03:46 AM PDT by GOP_Lady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: bamahead
Have a BLAST, bamahead!


28 posted on 07/03/2009 8:14:05 AM PDT by GOP_Lady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: GOP_Lady

Happy 4th to you!!!


29 posted on 07/03/2009 8:16:36 AM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: JohnRLott

We have far too many safety mongers on our side to ever change this. Far too many people have bought into the idea that certain things should only be accessible to “professionals” or “experts”.


30 posted on 07/03/2009 7:24:41 PM PDT by arderkrag (Liberty Walking (www.geocities.com/arderkrag))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bamahead
Interesting tidbit: Large fireworks (ie: all the fun ones) are illegal in Georgia.

Yeh, but thankfully, it really doesn't stop anyone, especially here in the Augusta area - people just go over to SC and buy whatever they want. Screw the law.
31 posted on 07/03/2009 7:27:24 PM PDT by arderkrag (Liberty Walking (www.geocities.com/arderkrag))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-31 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson