Let's talk Fireworks

Personal responsibility. It means keeping the government out of my life, out of my bedroom, and for this 4th of July blog entry, out of my barbecue.

Earlier tonight I saw a piece on local television about fireworks being illegal in the state of Illinois. The newscaster warned of the "stiff penalties" associated with carrying such heinous contraband across the state border. But really... fireworks?

Currently, 5 states ban the sale of fireworks: Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York & Rhode Island.

4 states permit novelties only (sprinklers, etc.): Illinois, Iowa, Maine & Vermont

19 states set few restrictions; 20 have no restrictions.

Delaware is among the states that ban fireworks all together, but I'm certain that my experience with fireworks restrictions are similar.

I live about forty minutes from the Wisconsin border. Wisconsin is a state with unrestricted fireworks sales, so every year Illinoisans ritualistically drive north en masse (or east to Gary, Indiana) to buy fireworks. Stores across the border make a killing. Not one mile beyond the border with Wisconsin (slightly beyond Mars Cheese Curd Factory... oh Wisconsin...:) there is a fireworks MEGASTORE. Should you choose to drive east from Chicago into Indiana, you will encounter fireworks billboard advertisements in Illinois state territory.

Fireworks laws are senseless nationally. People acquire the 'contraband' by simply driving across the state border and injure themselves anyway. Companies selling fireworks need to print clear instructions on their packages with warning labels indicating the dangers. If states want to play a role in firework safety, educate. Give money to local governments to run workshops or just leave that to non-profit organizations entirely. People seem to love their 4th of July fireworks, why take that away from them?

The bottom line: when you purchase a product, you assume the risk. If you're properly warned, it's your responsibility and if something goes wrong, you must accept the consequences.

Happy 4th of July.