Exhibits, Shows and Displays

Should fireworks be banned from sale to the public, and restricted to profesional organised displays only?

For the past week, everyone has been setting off fireworks in their back gardens, celebrating Halloween and Bonfire Night. This terrifies animals, and is a noise nuissance to everyone who's not interested in it. Right at this very moment, I have a terrified dog shaking and trembling at my feet, as explosions are going off in the street outside my house. Does anyone agree that fireworks should be restricted to professionally run and officially organised displays only? After all, these aren't toys. They're pyrotechnics. In effect, they're small bombs.

Public Comments

1. Yes...They are a dam nuisance in the wrong hands.
2. YES
3. No. You can't ban everything which causes a nuisance. That's a slippery slope. I don't like them, but that doesn't mean people who do like them should not be allowed to enjoy them.
4. Yes. But then we will need a license to operate fireworks, and a degree. Unless people know how to use them, they needn't be in their hands.
5. I totally agree.. and alot of states like here in Arizona they are banned. Alot of people have been hurt and even killed because of careless use of fireworks... I think there has to be an end somewhere.
6. Totally agree with you, I honestly can't wait until it's all over I've had my elderly neighbours at my door because they're scared to sit in their own house. Fireworks are not toys and yes I believe that the general public should not be allowed to buy them, a lot of people only use them as an excuse to cause trouble. Thank you, Good question.
7. That's like saying, "Should guns be sold to the public?" Guns aren't toys either, but people have them. People do bad things with them. They won't take them away from people.
8. No. I'm sorry your dog isn't happy. But I fail to see why that should prevent everyone else from using fireworks. They aren't hurting anyone (unless they are misused by an idiot who is then liable for any damage) and they aren't infringing on anyone's rights...
9. No, they should not be restricted. Just so you know, a fart is a "small" gas bomb. On certain events people should have the right to shoot fireworks. Your dog probably trembles when there is thunder and lightning too, right? What have you done to ban thunder and lightning? Just because your dog is a wuss, doesnt mean people shouldnt be allowed to shoot fireworks anymore.
10. i think that the rocket kinds that shoot from morters should be for pros only, but the little crappy kinds should be for everyone, and my dog is just as terrified as yours it seems. and if someone is stupid enough to use them incorrectly and gets hurt, then thats darwins theory at work.
11. No, and no I don't feel sorry for people when they loose their thumbs or hands or arms because of fireworks either. Use at your own risk. That being said the summer I came back from Iraq I forgot it was the 4th of July and when I heard the fireworks go off I was on the floor until I saw on the TV the Boston Pop's fireworks spectacular, true story, embarrassing, but I can relate to your dog's situation.... as sad as that might sound. But no, I don't think they should only be professionals, but I do think there are restricted times to use them, like no later then one hour after sundown. considering how early the sun sets this time of year (northern hemi) it shouldn't be a big deal.
12. YES! And for the following reasons. 1) Every year over 10,000 kids and adults loose fingers and hands because of improper use. 2) The sound is highly stressful to wild animals as well as indoor pets. 3) They leave thousands of tons of detritus scattered everywhere, every year. 4) They are loud, obnoxious and annoying. Most of the time they are no longer used to celebrate anything, but rather just used for screwing around and vandalizing.
13. i believe that fireworks should no be set of till the day bonfire night is (5th November). at the moment my cat is terrifed at the noise.He is hiding. some fireworks there is no need for defo these loud bangers. I myself have a fear of loud noises have done all my life and hate going out. It is not safe as well. I dont believe though they should be left to organised displays as many people may not be able to one but i do believe there should be a time limit then u should stop setting them off i got 2 thumbs down why this is my opinon
14. In a word, yes. I think the insurance companies would breathe a sigh of relief, too. I wonder why, in today's security alert world, we allow a situation where anyone could visit as many shops as he liked, buy as much explosives as he liked, and then go away with them to do whatever he liked without any questions. I don't want to give terrorists ideas, but it does concern me.
15. Yeah, you're right. It makes huge profits for the firework industry, but the same fireworks could be used in better organised displays with a better range of food to eat and portaloos!! Are you the same 'Swampy' who climbs up trees and halts the progress of concrete development!? Keep up the good work!
16. You have a very legitimate point! As a former fanatic for fireworks, I miss the excitement and displays of good fireworks, but not miss the danger. I think that your suggestion to keep them just for professional use is the safest idea, nobody can argue that. Since so many municipalities ban their use, it would be in everyone's best interest to let the pros set off the display and we sit back and watch. As far as the manufacturers, their clientele will be adjusted, but after they lower prices to professional teams, municipalities and sports clubs, they will surely make up the difference.
17. Absolutely not if we ban everything that becomes a nuisance to someone else . We will ban everything eventually -- I don't like your hair color, it is a nuisance to me, let's band that also, people who drive too slow on the interstate are nuisance lets ban them from driving, they'd be screaming in a movie theater that is a nuisance, let's ban people from having babies in public, eventually we will become a dictatorship. If we keep down this path -- let people have their fireworks. And if you don't like it and it's a nuisance to you, to bad -- stomping your toe on something is also a nuisance. But we can't do anything about it! Except get over it
18. yes they should be ban to profesional displays.. to many ppl get hurt and they let them off b4 and after the date they are ment for its a pan in the bum
19. I think so. Year in year out the general public prove that they are not responsible enough to be in control of what is basically a box of explosive devices. Some idiots buy a box and then give them to their kids to go and play with! It beggar belief. A couple of weeks ago my girlfriend had a rocket or a banger or something aimed at her from across the street. Thankfully she wasnt hurt but the kid who lit it clearly wanted to hurt someone. Last year some evil bastard put one inside someones pet dog and lit the fuse. There wasnt much left of the poor dog. I agree, take them off the shelves, if people want to enjoy fireworks then there are plenty of organised displays that they can go to. Selling them to the public clearly does more harm than good