Local Lawmaker Wants to Legalize Fireworks
By: Cierra Putman
Updated: July 4, 2012
Fireworks are illegal in the State of New York, but one local assemblyman thinks otherwise and he's sponsoring a bill to change the law.
New York is one of 4 states in the country that bans consumer fireworks, but a bill proposed by Assemblyman Brian Kolb of Canandaigua would change that.
It would allow people 18 or older to use them, but only after passing a safety course and obtaining a permit.
Kolb says fireworks are safely regulated and sales would add jobs and boost the economy.
The more dangerous explosives like cherry bombs, firecrackers and bottle rockets would still be illegal.
Many people in Rochester say they would like to add legal fireworks to their Independence Day celebration, but others say they're not safe.
"I think that its something we really have to look into to make sure its safe," Rochester Resident Tamar Rivera-Rodriguez said. "Especially for the kids, because I don't think its worth my kids getting hurt or any other kids losing a hand."
"I think it adds to the fun," Rochester Resident Antwaine Johnson said. "I like the smaller fireworks. I think the bigger ones are too much for the family for the professionals to handle but the little ones I think are fine."
In case you didn't know, fireworks weren't always illegal in new york.
The ban went into effect in 1940 after a rash of injuries, but as Kolb points out, that was before federal firework guidelines were passed in 1976.
His bill is currently under review in the state Assembly.
