BackTalk: Fireworks bans set off explosive reactions about safety

Tacoma News Tribune ^ | June 28, 2003 | Tacoma News Tribune

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To some readers, lighting off fireworks in neighborhoods is downright unneighborly. To others, it's a serious public safety issue.

A few say the restrictions posted throughout the South Sound are unreasonable.

Here's a sampling of the 15 responses to this week's BackTalk question: "Are the fireworks bans and tough restrictions justified? Or do they simply rain on more traditional and robust celebrations of Independence Day?"

What fireworks ban or restrictions? They aren't noticeable in the neighborhood of 56th and Yakima. The explosions start one week before the 4th and continue till one week after. I really dislike this time of year.

LEE DINEHART, TACOMA

I think the fireworks ban is terrific. Too many children have been hurt and maimed for the rest of their lives. ... And people in general should stop and realize fireworks should be handled by professionals, and not in the hands of children and adults who act like children.

BETTY NUNEZ, TACOMA

Ever since the City of Tacoma banned the use and sale of fireworks within the city limits, I have enjoyed more than ever the large display that my neighbors put on every year. This year, instead of being a bystander, I plan on having my own display hoping to outdo my neighbors. The ban on fireworks has hurt the nonprofit organizations that have used the sale of fireworks as their major source of funding. The City of Tacoma should lift the ban on fireworks and allow us who enjoy fireworks to celebrate our independence. Isn't that what independence is all about?

DAREN HOLTER, TACOMA

The fireworks ban has ruined our 4th since 1993. We used to have big block parties and it encouraged neighbors to get together. If these fireworks are done in a supervised manner, it actually teaches fire safety and fire prevention.

ROBERT GLAUNER, TACOMA

Absolutely we should ban all noisy type of fireworks. It doesn't do anyone any good. It's terrible to see all the lost cats and dogs that get panicky and run away. I find some on the road every 4th of July. The children get frightened at night when this is going on. There are so many other better ways to celebrate the 4th of July.

HELENA SHELLEY, TACOMA

My husband and I both support the fireworks ban. One year our house caught on fire from a rocket-type thing. We had minimal damage but the fire department had to be called and the fire put out.

SHARON GUTHRIE CLARK, TACOMA

Tacoma doesn't have a ban on fireworks. You can go anywhere in the city, people are shooting them off like crazy, even though the City Council says there is a ban. We have flooded the police station with calls, and they tell us that they cannot do anything until they actually see people shooting them off. Why even bother having the ban at all?

THORIS BELL, TACOMA

The thing that ruins my 4th is the fact that Tacoma's ban on fireworks is not enforced. The people who disobey this law are inconsiderate of their neighbors.

JAMES BRAMBLET, TACOMA

If someone wants to blow their fingers off let them. Let them pay their own bills. The majority of us think that we are pretty safe. Lift the ban and make a whole lot of people happier.

JENNIFER HANSON, TACOMA

I believe it's a great idea that fireworks are banned, and I wish it was banned in the Bonney Lake area. ... You can't even sleep all night because they are lighting fireworks way after dark, especially the great big ones.

MARLENE KINYON, BONNEY LAKE

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Glad I live out in the sticks. I cannot believe some of these responses as we celebrate out declining freedoms and our nation's birthday. I wish I could spell kermuggens.

[agitator]

the point of fireworks is to remind people that it was americans wielding rifles and cannon that won this country. These candyasses that don't like being disturbed can kiss my cherrybomb

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These candyasses that don't like being disturbed can kiss my cherrybomb

Candyasses is the term I was looking for. Thanks.

[Husker24]

Absolutely we should ban all noisy type of fireworks. It doesn't do anyone any good. It's terrible to see all the lost cats and dogs that get panicky and run away. I find some on the road every 4th of July. The children get frightened at night when this is going on. There are so many other better ways to celebrate the 4th of July.

Waaaaaaaa! WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!, what a bunch of pussys. Cant these people take a little noise for a couple of days. Im glad I dont live in a state with a bunch of as@holes like these. But im sure in time they will take over my state as well, and well all be playing pin the tail on the donkey on the 4th.

[EggsAckley]

Curmudgeons. I are one. But I kind of like your spelling better. LOL!

In Santa Cruz County they have not only banned private fireworks, there are now no more city displays. Their reason: too much traffic.

We had a tradition of having a Navy ship dock here for the week and residents could tour them. City council says that it represents military violence. No more Navy ships.
These people embarass me.

[Husker24]

playing pin the tail on the donkey on the 4th.

Ohh im sorry, somone could get hurt, with the pin and all. Maybe we could do something even safer on the 4th like scrabble or Yahtzee, wouldnt that be fun.

[x1stcav]

More evidence of the feminization of America. Can't do anything that might hurt or discomfit anyone.

I think back to the 50's and some of the 'ordinance' we had as kids was truely awesome. Of course nobody let you handle this stuff by yourself until you demonstrated you had the maturity and responsibility to deal with the situation.

And yet, sh!t did happen. A faulty fuze. Not getting rid of the piece quickly enough. Some smarting fingers and powder burns, but I never saw anybody seriously hurt.

How did we survive our childhoods?

[Husker24]

City council says that it represents military violence. No more Navy ships.

Youve got to be kidding me, somone should be making a big deal about this. Email someone at FOX and embarrass the hell out of these people.

[rwfromkansas]

Alright, I will post some responses to these jackasses.

"The explosions start one week before the 4th and continue till one week after. I really dislike this time of year."

Look you pissant, you can only shoot fireworks this short period in the year. If you have a problem with it, move, moron.

If you can't live with a little noise for a few days, you are more than pathetic.

Learn to love the freedom of this country, moron.

Yes, fireworks can get loud, but I live in a town with almost no regulations whatsoever and I can get to sleep despite the explosions. It really is not that difficult.

[Husker24]

Im seething with anger after reading this, especially reading about the Navy ship thing. I think im gonna shoot off someting illegal tonight.

[Husker24]

Do you guys still have bottle rockets in Kansas? I do alot of my shopping in Missouri now.

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City council says that it represents military violence. No more Navy ships.

I worked for the navy when San Francisco would not let Reagan's battleships in the Bay. They pulled out of San Fran entirely except for Concord.

[rwfromkansas]

"I think the fireworks ban is terrific. Too many children have been hurt and maimed for the rest of their lives. ... And people in general should stop and realize fireworks should be handled by professionals, and not in the hands of children and adults who act like children."

Light a fuse and run away is not something that you have to be an expert to figure out (well, except for you, I am sure, miss writer).

As for the number of injuries and deaths, I have just about had it up to here with this bull%#^&.

Anybody looking at statistics realizes that most fireworks are very safe (unless of course you shoot them off inside buckets like the NCPSC likes to do to try to scare people about the "dangers" of fireworks). In fact, ordinary and rather boring sparklers cause MANY MANY MANY more injuries than the stuff that goes up in the air, and a large percentage of the injuries from aerials are from bottle rockets, which are illegal in my state anyway (and since they are the only thing illegal in KS fireworks-wise, I am okay with that).

Furthermore, injuries come from careless use.

Sorry, but I don't feel compelled to ban something because some kids decide to try something stupid. Where are the parents?

[rwfromkansas]

I try not to say the F word (as a conservative Christian I don't mind saying lesser cuss words because I do not believe it is sin for various reasons, but the F word is sin because it has some other connotations). But man, I just about let the F word fly reading this tripe.

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Light a fuse and run away is not something that you have to be an expert to figure out (well, except for you, I am sure, miss writer).

How true. I never met any kid that could not light a firecracker.

[rwfromkansas]

I should not have trashed all my fireworks research, as it would be great for these threads to show what a bunch of idiots anti-fireworks people are. They really are not that dangerous and do not cause that many fires in reality. About the respecting neighbors issue, excuse me, but can't these busybodies respect my right to have some fun?

The mayor tried to limit fireworks last year, but ended up withdrawing his proposal because it pissed off a lot of people. I hope his ass gets voted out before he can do any more damage. I am worried he will try again after the 4th.

At least I had a childhood with really lax laws.

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As for the pets, if you keep them inside, you won't have a problem idiot. My dog does get a bit upset at the fireworks, but he is kept inside so it does not bother him too much.

I just lock my dog in the bedroom. He hates thunder even more and lays right next to me and follows me everywhere while that happens. Guess we should outlaw thunder too.

[rwfromkansas]

Bottle rockets are illegal, but the fireworks are a family affair. My brother and his family lives in KC and buys bottle rockets in Mo to bring back. My sister and her family live in Manhattan (K-State town) and drive back with family and we all shoot fireworks.

My bro shoots some bottle rockets here, but saves most for the country (his wife's side of the family).

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Maybe we could do something even safer on the 4th like scrabble or Yahtzee, wouldnt that be fun.

I am sure the will want us all to assemble at stadiums and get a lecture on how dangerous fireworks are and how it causes global warming.