Has 4th Of July become an underrated holiday now?

[sam_gordon]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

 

[tvguy]

I was not trying to be insulting. I genuinely do find it interesting to see on the Disboards how different people's experiences are from one state/region to another. I had absolutely no idea that there were places in the US that have Columbus Day parades and celebrations.

I agree. This is an interesting place for diversity. And to your point, New York City for one has a huge Columbus Day parade and celebration. And it still is a Federal Holiday in the entire nation. https://www.carnifest.com/columbus-day-parade-in-nyc-2023/

 

[tvguy]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

Hasn't change in California in decades. If it doesn't say "Safe and Sane" on it, it's illegal.

 

[sam_gordon]

Hasn't change in California in decades. If it doesn't say "Safe and Sane" on it, it's illegal.

I"m guessing most of those complaining aren't where the fireworks are being set off. So how would they know if it says "Safe and Sane" or not.

AND, there are people from states OTHER than California that might have had their laws changed (whether they knew it or not).

 

[Moliphino]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

Illegal to use, possess, or sell in MA. Even stuff as small as sparklers.
Granted I've pretty much never seen this enforced and plenty of people in my area light fireworks for the 4th and other occasions.

 

[tvguy]

I"m guessing most of those complaining aren't where the fireworks are being set off. So how would they know if it says "Safe and Sane" or not.

AND, there are people from states OTHER than California that might have had their laws changed (whether they knew it or not).

Pretty easy here to spot or hear illegal fireworks. If it goes airborne or explodes, it's illegal..

 

[Smugpugmug]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

I live in Maryland. Fireworks are illegal here except for sparklers/poppers. Even that is only legal in certain counties. This isn't enforced in any way, shape or form. My neighbors drive to Pennsylvania to buy fireworks.

 

[seshat0120]

All fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts for private residents. Massachusetts law prohibits the possession, use, and sale of fireworks by unlicensed individuals, even if bought legally in another state. It's been this way my entire life and nothing has changed. Unfortunately, it's rarely (if ever) enforced. There are even billboards up on the highways just before you get into New Hampshire (where it is legal) advertising where you can buy them. I've never understood that. Why allow advertisement for it? I'm sure licensed pyrotechnics are going to the stores advertised to get them.

 

[sam_gordon]

Pretty easy here to spot or hear illegal fireworks. If it goes airborne or explodes, it's illegal..

And that's how it used to be here. Until the laws changed, about 3-4 years ago, which is my point.

 

[tvguy]

And that's how it used to be here. Until the laws changed, about 3-4 years ago, which is my point.

That's amazing that they would change the laws. Of course with our history of wildfires, the trend for a decade has been counties that ban all fireworks.

 

[tvguy]

And that's how it used to be here. Until the laws changed, about 3-4 years ago, which is my point.

Everyone of these fireworks in this video are illegal. The TV station tower camera is pointed in the direction that there were no permitted professional fireworks displays.
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-illegal-fireworks-fourth-of-july-holiday/44451277#

 

[BrianL]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

They are legal in my state, but not in my city. You have to be outside of the city limits to buy them or use them. That doesn't stop anybody though and city cops have better things to do than cite people for it. It has gotten really bad too - as I mentioned, just a constant din of fireworks well into the later hours.

 

[PolymerSkywalker]

They are legal in my state, but not in my city. You have to be outside of the city limits to buy them or use them. That doesn't stop anybody though and city cops have better things to do than cite people for it. It has gotten really bad too - as I mentioned, just a constant din of fireworks well into the later hours.

That's the benefit of living in a rural area with acreage. There are some negatives, but certainly some positives also.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal? My state legalized a LOT of fireworks 3-4 years ago. It used to be it was illegal for anything to shoot into the air. I think, under pressure from the public, they legalized pretty much everything.

In So Cal - DEFINITELY illegal, and not all-that-hard to get. We have a giant port where tons of illegal fireworks come in from China and a loose border to the south where you can get anything else. It's been that way FOR-EV-ER. It's only gotten better because Customs got a lot better at stopping the stuff coming off the ships - but clearly not all of it.

 

[GAN]

I was not trying to be insulting. I genuinely do find it interesting to see on the Disboards how different people's experiences are from one state/region to another. I had absolutely no idea that there were places in the US that have Columbus Day parades and celebrations.

I realize that ...no offense taken! While the State is primarily liberal, a lot of people around here don't buy into the trend to eliminate holidays or change names to prevent others from being offended. For instance, the legislature changed the name of Victory over Japan Day(VJ Day) to "Victory" Day ...but the State still recognizes the holiday and most of us still get the day off and celebrate as before. I believe we are the only state left still observing it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

And that's how it used to be here. Until the laws changed, about 3-4 years ago, which is my point.

Still the same here in VA too. Some small stuff is allowed (sparklers, snappers, some small fountains), but no projectiles. But plenty of people still do it. Its been going on daily for about 2 weeks now, and Fri-Sun night since mid-May around me.

I live in Maryland. Fireworks are illegal here except for sparklers/poppers. Even that is only legal in certain counties. This isn't enforced in any way, shape or form. My neighbors drive to Pennsylvania to buy fireworks.

Ahh yes, pretty common here too to drive to PA. I always laugh because they make you show an ID to prove that you aren't a PA resident, since they are illegal there too, but they can sell them to people from out of state, even if they are also illegal there.

 

[sam_gordon]

Ahh yes, pretty common here too to drive to PA. I always laugh because they make you show an ID to prove that you aren't a PA resident, since they are illegal there too, but they can sell them to people from out of state, even if they are also illegal there

I'm sorry, dat's funny rat dare.

 

[bcla]

For me it was the whole idea of barbecues and fireworks, so as a kid that was always fun. But then again, school is usually out so it for summer so it's not that big a deal.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Ahh yes, pretty common here too to drive to PA. I always laugh because they make you show an ID to prove that you aren't a PA resident, since they are illegal there too, but they can sell them to people from out of state, even if they are also illegal there.

It's so funny to drive to Pennsylvania because as soon as you cross the border into the state, you see a giant billboard advertising fireworks.

The same neighbors drive to Pennsylvania to buy hard liquor at Costco since it's not allowed in the county we live in.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Folks keep mentioning "illegal" fireworks. Are you sure they're illegal?

I’m in New York and all fireworks for personal use are illegal, and have been my entire life. However, that doesn’t stop people from using them on the 4th, as well as frequently throughout the summer months. People go to PA or one of the southern states to buy them. As others have said, it is not enforced. My neighborhood sounds like a war zone. It is so widespread and the police do nothing.

Will add that there are some rural counties in the state, north of the NYC metro area, where some fireworks are allowed, but only small things like sparklers.