Sales of bigger, louder, higher fireworks fizzles out in committee

This country’s 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July will be a big deal.

So, should fireworks used to celebrate the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence also be bigger, louder, and higher?

In Minnesota, that won’t happen, at least legally.

A bill to allow the sale of bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, and other higher-powered pyrotechnics failed to get the approval of the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee along party lines Wednesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Chris Swedzinski (R-Ghent), HF3547, would permit shooting off these consumer-grade fireworks between noon and 10 p.m., or 90 minutes after sunset, whichever is later. They could not be purchased by minors and could not be launched on public property.

Under current law, most fireworks are illegal in Minnesota. Retailers can sell novelties, including sparklers, snakes, and smoke devices, but cannot sell firecrackers and other more powerful fireworks that go airborne.

Edina Fire Chief Andrew Slama testifies March 18 in opposition to HF3547. Sponsored by Rep. Chris Swedzinski, it would legalize consumer-grade fireworks. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

All four of Minnesota’s neighboring states have more permissive firework laws.

Celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is an American tradition, Swedzinski said, but it has a Minnesota twist. “The annual travel to other states to purchase said fireworks is part of that celebration.”

It’s best to keep that money here in the state, he said, and the bill would use sales tax revenue — estimated to be between $3 million and $6 million annually — from fireworks purchases to advance public safety initiatives.

To that end, the bill, as introduced, would have dedicated a portion of the sales tax revenue to the volunteer fire assistance grant account and the fire safety account; however, an amendment was added to send those dollars instead to the statewide public safety radio communication system equipment grant account.

Andrew Belland, a state-licensed pyrotechnician from Pine City, echoed the financial aspect and said prohibition does not work. “Minnesotans are already lighting recreational fireworks regardless of our current laws. Prohibition has not stopped the use [of fireworks], it has only pushed sales across borders.”

That argument did not sway Rep. Pete Johnson (DFL-Duluth), who’s not a fan of getting rid of laws just because they are not enforced. And as a former firefighter, he said any economic benefits are not worth the human suffering these more powerful fireworks would cause.

“I’ve spent time sifting through yards looking for fingers that people have blown off. I’ve gone to calls where they’ve blown up in people’s faces, and ruptured eardrums, damaged eyes, head injuries,” he said. “That is the reality of what these things do.”

“Broadening the legalization of explosives will absolutely increase their use,” said Edina Fire Chief Andrew Slama. “With fire departments across the state already struggling to remain fully staffed, we cannot take on what would inevitably be additional calls for fires and injuries.”