On many holidays. Particularly New Years, and the Fourth of July, a big part of the day’s festivities is the fireworks display. Fireworks bring feelings of joy and pride and many have come to expect to hear and see these loud, brightly colored explosions lighting up the sky.
Consumers are allowed to purchase fireworks for home use but as you can imagine, their ability to purchase and use fireworks is regulated by federal, state and local governments.
So, when someone wishes to purchase fireworks, he has to be concerned with more than just the type and size of the firework they wish to purchase, they need to understand the laws. In the US, there is a myriad of laws governing the use and sale of consumer fireworks. So depending on where you live, will determine to a large extent which fireworks are available to you. There are many states that allow fireworks to be shipped there, but you have to know which ones do. You can buy wholesale fireworks online, and have them shipped to states that allow it.
Here is a state by state general breakdown of what fireworks you can purchase and use;
- There are a total of twenty eight US states that permit the sale of all or most types of consumer fireworks to residents of those states. These are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming and Georgia. Most of these states have selling seasons around the 4th of July, Christmas and New Year’s. In each state there is usually local laws that restrict the types of fireworks permitted, their particular use and when they can be sold.
- If you live in Delaware, Massachusetts, or New Jersey, no types of consumer fireworks are allowed. Delaware and Massachusetts ban the sale of all types of fireworks. You can purchase fireworks in New Jersey but must use them out of state.
- In Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, or Vermont, the lowest level of fireworks are allowed. These include small charged such as sparklers, snakes, and party poppers. Illinois permits the sale and use of only wire or wood stick sparklers and other novelties. IN Ohio you can buy virtually any type of firework but you can only use the ones mentioned above.
- In California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C., you can only use non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks (also called “safe and sane”). Fireworks including roman candles are not permitted in these states. Also in New York, you cannot use any of these in New York City. Also in some states that tend to have droughts and brush fires, like California, there are additional laws and at times fireworks will be banned entirely in these states.
It is best to check with your local fire department to understand what the particular laws are governing fireworks use in your city.