ST. PAUL – Legislation that would legalize the use of firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other aerial fireworks has been approved in the Minnesota House. State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center) voted in favor of the measure, which he calls the Fun and Freedom Act.
"To me, this is an issue of personal responsibility," Cornish said. "In nearly every instance where a small town hosts an Independence Day fireworks celebration, any number of pre-shows take place within that same city where extraordinary fireworks are blown up. Rarely do you see injuries and even more rarely do you see the police show up and issue citations."
The legislation would allow aerial and audible devices to be sold and used from June 1 to July 10 each year. Only people above the age of 18 could make fireworks purchases. Local governments could charge an annual license fee to stores that want to sell fireworks and are able to prohibit them from being sold.
Cornish noted that our state loses large amounts of commerce to South Dakota and Wisconsin every year due to our fireworks ban. According to some studies, Minnesota misses out on roughly $5 million in sales tax revenue annually when people drive across the border to purchase fireworks.
"Evidence has been presented where in states that have legalized fireworks, with proper warning given to its citizens, fireworks injuries have declined compared to when they were illegal," Cornish said. "We're losing millions of dollars in potential revenue and fireworks usage is not enforced in most jurisdictions, so I believe the time is right to legalize fireworks and give people the freedom to enjoy lighting a firecracker on the 4th of July."
The fireworks bill will now be sent to the Minnesota Senate for further debate.