Fireworks in Viana originally uploaded by Angela.
According to this WCCO article, the Minnesota Senate passed a bill which partially paves the way for Minnesotans to finally join their Upper Midwestern brethren in the purchase and launch of aerial fireworks. While the bill would still have to pass the House to become law, many believe this is a step in the right direction.
From the article:
The Minnesota Senate approved a bill 41-22 Tuesday to make aerial fireworks legal in the state. Current law limits consumers to sparklers and other toys low in explosives. The House version of the bill is awaiting a floor vote.
Supporters say Minnesotans already buy larger fireworks in Wisconsin and North and South Dakota. They say allowing such fireworks within the borders would generate money from sales taxes and eliminate a barely enforced law.
But critics point out that hospitals, law enforcement and fire chiefs organizations are opposed to a looser law. They say it will cause more injuries and property damage.
What do you think about the possibility of Minnesotans being able to legally obtain and launch fireworks in our fine state? Do you agree that the laws are rarely enforced and thus it’s pointless to have the rules on the books? Are you one of those individuals who crosses the border and buys them anyway? Is this more or less important than Sunday alcohol sales? Do you worry that passage would mean more injuries and fires?
Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
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April 19th, 2012 at 7:37 am
This feels just like the conversation about legalizing marijuana.
Discuss! =:-D
April 19th, 2012 at 7:50 am
In my limited observation, I’d suggest that the current laws have nearly ZERO impact on the behavior of anybody I know, save for their annual sojourn to Wisconsin to leave their money there.
• Do I think those who currently do not buy/launch said fireworks would begin doing so? Mostly, no.
• Do I think those who currently DO buy/launch said fireworks would buy/launch even more? Maybe only slightly, but again they’d then leave their revenue here in MN.
Again, I’m imagining the behavior of those in my circle of family/friends. However, I might go so far as to extrapolate my predictions to the population at large, to a general degree. To deny that legalizing fireworks in MN would result in NO incremental increase in injuries seems foolhardy to me, but I’d suggest the delta would be pretty small. In other words, I find myself leaning towards the supporters position cited in the original article.
Cars are very dangerous. So, too, are cigarettes and Mountain Dew. You don’t even need a license to buy Sriracha sauce.
Now, can we get fireworks and marijuana legalized on the same day? ‘Cuz that’d be epic!
April 19th, 2012 at 7:54 am
About time. I’m sick of politicians treating people like small children. (“No dear, it’s too dangerous.”)
April 19th, 2012 at 8:14 am
Legalize it! And fireworks too…
April 19th, 2012 at 8:17 am
I agree with jorn. We should legalize marijuana and fireworks along with a whole bunch of things we spend too much time and money enforcing rules that say people can’t use them even if nobody else is getting harmed.
Fireworks are stupid, but I understand why people like them.
I probably won’t use marijuana even if it were legal, but I understand those who do. Legalize it and tax the shit out of it and it probably is still cheaper than getting it on the street, plus it is more controlled health wise.
I totally understand why ugly and fat people buy a hooker, even though I would never rent one. Let hookers get licenses, health clearance and oh, maybe we can make sure they are not children.
I just think we spend to much time and money putting people in jail and on our police than we need to on this non violent stuff.
I am not saying there are not downsides to any of these, but show me how it is not better than the mess we have right now.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:20 am
lefty, legal marijuana in states which have “medical marijuana” is high quality and priced appropriately. I’m doubting that people, unless they grow it themselves, are going to be getting the $5 gram bags you can find now.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Is that a good price? I really have no idea.
Assuming it is. Then we should subsidize it with our crime fighting money and we will still save billions.
April 19th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Fine, and while you are at it allow for car and liquor sales on Sundays and clean up the books of ridiculous laws that no longer make sense when it comes to sales activities that our surrounding states have already fixed.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:02 am
I agree that legalizing it won’t change people’s behavior about them, but my damn neighbors shoot off those big cannons every 4th of July off an orange construction cone in their backyard. The time the cone fell over and one of those big ones came flying over and landed close to where I was out with the dog in the yard doing his duty, and then exploded on the ground near me I was pissed. It’s not like it was a little bottle rocket–it was one of those huge round ones. If you want to be an idiot out there drinking and playing with explosives, do it where it isn’t going to come flying into my yard or at least spring for the proper launcher for them. I can stay inside and hope one doesn’t come flying through a window, but I do have to take the dog out once in awhile! But, sigh, legal or not, they will still do it, so doesn’t really matter to me I guess. On the bright side, maybe they will cause a grass fire and burn their grass down since they never mow….
April 19th, 2012 at 10:06 am
Ironically, legalizing fireworks might make it more effective to enforce fireworks bans during dry seasons. If it’s always illegal, why would violators pay special attention to dangerous forest conditions.
Some people will get burnt from disregarding safety advice. But we also let irresponsible people get behind the wheel, which is at least as dangerous.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:10 am
Lefty we agree on the fireworks, pot and hookers.
What’s the difference between “buying” a prostitute and “renting” one?
April 19th, 2012 at 10:26 am
NW Rochester Guy,
Marriage
lefty
April 19th, 2012 at 10:56 am
I think more people would use them. People would stop and buy them on impulse, where as people likely wont drive to South Dakota or Wisconsin on a whim. I also think more people would get hurt, and there would be more fires.
All that said, I still think it should be legalized. People need to be allowed to make their own decisions. Sadly, this is not about that. Its about revenue. Everything is about revenue. Is it dangerous? Yes. Can we make money off it? Yes. Ok, how do we make it legal then?!
Leftys posts above, both 5 and 12 were awesome btw.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Bill,
Do you have an award for the best comment of the year? If so, I would like to nominate Lefty for his last one.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:07 am
It’s based on number of votes so thumb him up. He won last year’s too.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Thanks – That one is hall-of-fame worthy.
It made my day.
April 19th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Legalize them. The current situation isn’t stopping anyone who really wants to use them anyway, it’s a little extra money for the state, and we already let people do more dangerous stuff. And yes, this goes for a lot of other things as well.
April 19th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I know I would buy and set them off if it was legal and I’m sure there are others that would do it once the inconvenience and legality barriers were removed.
April 19th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I think that the big fireworks should be legal. Making them illegal closes the conversation about them. I think that some subsection of people would be less attracted to them if they were less clandestine. But mostly I think that people would be MORE careful with them if they were just part of public awareness/personal responsibility. People dig making choices. And freedom. Which is kind of what we’ve always used fireworks to celebrate…
April 19th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
NW Rochester Guy,
You are now officially my straight man.
April 20th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
The fireworks bill will pass the hosue and senate, but will be vetoed by gov Dayton
April 20th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Phil, I couldn’t find any record of Dayton taking a position on it one way or the other?
April 24th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
I AM IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING FIREWORKS
YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE COMMON SENSE
OPERATING THEM. YOU CAN BURN YOURSELF
LIGHTING A MATCH IF YOU DONT WATCH
WHAT YOURE DOING.
May 24th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Phil Y. was correct. Dayton vetoed stating:
“It is govemment’s foremost responsibility to protect the safety and the well-being of its citizens. Sometimes that requires laws, which protect citizens from others. Sometimes, it requires laws to protect people from themselves. In this case, govemment has the responsibility to do its utmost to protect vulnerable young Minnesotans, courageous firefighters and police officers, and innocent bystanders of all ages, who could become victims of someone else’s carelessness.”
The senate was unsuccessful in its attempt ot override the veto with a vote of 37-29.
July 19th, 2012 at 7:02 am
[...] the explosion is similar to that of fairly tame fireworks legal in other surrounding states but far too dangerous for residents of the Nanny State. Considering I have an archive of Dakota County Criminal Complaints going back several years I [...]
August 8th, 2012 at 7:02 am
[...] we know the governor believes Minnesotans are not able to care for themselves without the State watching ove… (and yes, they are banned in Minnesota by statute), based on the millons of these that are launched [...]
January 11th, 2013 at 7:22 am
[...] Last night was our last night in Los Angeles and, for fun, a group of us headed out to Gyu-Kaku for some Japanese BBQ and happy hour. I was a little surprised that I was being introduced to something I’d never tried but once we arrived I realized the open flame in the middle of the table was probably too dangerous for Minnesotans–very much like fireworks. [...]