Billboards for illegal items?

[SplshMtn99]

Today, I saw a billboard on a major highway in central MA for a fireworks store. I had to look twice because I couldn't believe it. Buying fireworks & possession of are illegal in MA. The store is located in CT. Some 30 miles away. I just couldn't believe the billboard co had placed an ad for an illegal item here in MA for an out-of-state store.

Heck, MA people cross the NH border to buy fireworks just over the state line. And the MA cops sit at the border & pull them over once they enter the state.

I just never recall seeing a billboard for an illegal item before. What will be next.....billboards for prostitutes?

 

[C.Ann]

Heck, MA people cross the NH border to buy fireworks just over the state line. And the MA cops sit at the border & pull them over once they enter the state.

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How can they do that without probable cause? Do they have video survaliance (sp?) at the stores?

I have known quite a few people who have purchased assorted fireworks in NH and they were never stopped when they crossed the state line..

The sign in MA does sound pretty stupid though.. Maybe it's to entice people so they can catch them??

 

[SplshMtn99]

I forget what town, but the MA cops can SEE the customers loading the fireworks into the car & then drive across the border. It was on the news before. I don't know if the store is still there. Probably not.

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How can they do that without probable cause? Do they have video survaliance (sp?) at the stores?

I have known quite a few people who have purchased assorted fireworks in NH and they were never stopped when they crossed the state line..

The sign in MA does sound pretty stupid though.. Maybe it's to entice people so they can catch them??

 

[momrek06]

Today, I saw a billboard on a major highway in central MA for a fireworks store. I had to look twice because I couldn't believe it. Buying fireworks & possession of are illegal in MA. The store is located in CT. Some 30 miles away. I just couldn't believe the billboard co had placed an ad for an illegal item here in MA for an out-of-state store.

Heck, MA people cross the NH border to buy fireworks just over the state line. And the MA cops sit at the border & pull them over once they enter the state.

I just never recall seeing a billboard for an illegal item before. What will be next.....billboards for prostitutes?

HEY Splash...where exactly is this billboard? And what store in CT?

Might need to stock up!!!!

 

[C.Ann]

I forget what town, but the MA cops can SEE the customers loading the fireworks into the car & then drive across the border. It was on the news before. I don't know if the store is still there. Probably not.

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Gotcha!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I know there was one (not sure if it's still there) around the Kelly Square area in Worcester! It made me laugh everytime I saw the Firework Phantom billboard advertising because of the illegal issue. You would think that the billboard co. would not be able to do it. You have to love MA!!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I know there was one (not sure if it's still there) around the Kelly Square area in Worcester! It made me laugh everytime I saw the Firework Phantom billboard advertising because of the illegal issue. You would think that the billboard co. would not be able to do it. You have to love MA!!!

That's the one. I think I saw it between Kelly Square & College Square. Can't remember exactly. It was today. I was too busy dodging construction obstacles to pay any more attention to the sign.

 

[SplshMtn99]

HEY Splash...where exactly is this billboard? And what store in CT?

Might need to stock up!!!!

It was Fireworks Phantom. Exit 97 in CT. I don't see why they didn't just put the sign at the MA/ CT border area. Geesh!!! Still have 3 exits to go in CT before you get off.

Don't call me when you get arrested.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

That's the one. I think I saw it between Kelly Square & College Square. Can't remember exactly. It was today. I was too busy dodging construction obstacles to pay any more attention to the sign.

That sign has been there since last year! Isn't that area fun DH drives it everyday Auburn to Belmont St for work and I drive it every once in awhile. It's like a roller coaster ride with the ups & downs

 

[ford family]

The frightening part, for me, is not that the billboard exists but the fact that fireworks are illegal in MA.

ford family

 

[dbogen]

What I find even stranger, is that fireworks are illegal lin CT also. Well we can have the ones that don't go up, but they can stay on the ground and sparkle. What fun is that?!? I don't know, if you want the good ones I think you have to go further south.

Deanna

 

[ZekeKelso]

Good map of firework laws by state:

http://www.fireworksafety.com/laws.htm

 

[minnieandme]

I have seen a couple of billboards here in GA advertising a fireworks store in AL. Up until about 2 years ago, it was illegal here as well.

 

[bethbuchall]

We have billboards here for fireworks, too, because we are near the PA border. It's illegal for people in PA to purchase the fireworks, but they can sell them to people from NYS. Of course, it's illegal to have possession of fireworks in NY, but the PA fireworks stores don't have to worry about that little technicality.

 

[froglady]

I live in a "safe and sane" state, which means that no aerials are allowed, but ground "showers" are. I was amazed (after moving here from a zero tolerance state) at how high off of the ground some of the showers could go.

Of course, since the fireworks stores in SC (an anything goes state) are only 3 hours away, there are lots of semi-professional class fireworks going off around the neighborhood on the 4th, and New Year's Eve.

 

[mrsltg]

The frightening part, for me, is not that the billboard exists but the fact that fireworks are illegal in MA.

ford family

Me too. Legislators have too much time on their hands.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

There is nothing illegal about purchasing fireworks at the store that put up the billboards. Carrying them back over the boarder is illegal, but I'm sure that the sign doesn't mention that.

It wouldn't surprise me to see signs for professional women near the Nevada boarder. I'd guess the issue with those would be decency standards more than what they're selling.

I know people in Illinois go to Indiana to buy fireworks. I've heard there are State Police from Illinois who sit at the ones in Indiana and call in plate numbers of cars that have Illinois plates heading for the boarder.

 

[SplshMtn99]

That sign has been there since last year! Isn't that area fun DH drives it everyday Auburn to Belmont St for work and I drive it every once in awhile. It's like a roller coaster ride with the ups & downs

LOL. I drove thru there everyday myself until Feb of last year. For 14 yrs. I guess it went up after that. I swear they'll never finish that road.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

LOL. I drove thru there everyday myself until Feb of last year. For 14 yrs. I guess it went up after that. I swear they'll never finish that road.

You mean it's not "supposed" to be that way

 

[Crankyshank]

What I find even stranger, is that fireworks are illegal lin CT also. Well we can have the ones that don't go up, but they can stay on the ground and sparkle. What fun is that?!? I don't know, if you want the good ones I think you have to go further south.

Deanna

CT at least allows some fireworks - none are legal in MA and RI.
It's not something that's really enforced around here though and I wish it were. My moron neighbors light them off year round and I swear one is going to burn someone's house down eventually because the houses are so close together.
At least we went out to the sand bar and away from everything when we set them off as kids.