From News Nation:
“Fireworks retailer warns of
July 4 shortage: Here are the states where it’s legal to stock up”
Weeks ahead of the Fourth of July
holiday, Phantom Fireworks is recommending that people buy their fireworks
early due to a possible shortage — at least in the states where it’s legal. The
country’s top consumer fireworks retailer says supply chains are slow due to
global shipments. “Like many other industries, the fireworks industry has also
experienced delays due to shipment challenges facing the global market,” said
Alan L. Zoldan, Phantom executive vice president. Personal fireworks sales in
2020 surged to record rates industry-wide, including at Ohio-based Phantom
Fireworks, according to a press release. The company says this year’s Independence
Day is showing similar momentum, especially as President Joe Biden is
encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to
normalcy after 16 months of coronavirus pandemic disruption.Biden has raised
the possibility of beginning to “mark our independence from this virus” by the
Fourth of July, though the U.S. is expected to fall short of its goal of having
70% of adults vaccinated by the holiday.
Where are fireworks illegal? Consumer
fireworks can be purchased in some form in 46 states and the District of
Columbia, but restrictions vary depending on the state, according to Reader’s
Digest. Massachusetts is the only state that completely bans all
consumer fireworks, though they do allow professionals to put on firework displays.
Three states — Ohio, Illinois, and Vermont — have very strict fireworks laws,
only allowing wire or wood stick sparklers and other novelty items, Reader’s
Digest reported. Early this month, Ohio’s Senate passed a bill to loosen
its fireworks laws. Currently, Ohioans are not allowed to set off fireworks.
The following states allow most consumer fireworks: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia allow the sale and use of non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Despite restrictions in some
areas, Phantom Fireworks says there is high demand, and it’s responded with
additional hiring and store openings. “The good news is that we prepared early
in anticipation of high demand again this year and are encouraging Phantom
customers to do the same,” Zoldan said. “We are always excited to be a big part
of America’s favorite holiday, the Fourth of July, especially meaningful
following the 2020 pandemic summer.”
^ I have never been a fan of
personal fireworks, but do like to watch big, public fireworks shows. ^
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