Personally, fireworks freak me out a little bit, so I just stick to the sparklers! But, for those who wish to have the "fun" ones, why not. Could mean a nice boost in sales tax revenue, right?

Heard a few folks say the state shouldn't have laws it can't/won't enforce.

Cannot stand neighborhood folks lighting off fireworks. As a parent of two young children, booms and crackling past 9 piss me off.

Also, it makes sense only on July 4th, not before, not after.

Did you read the news story of the 25 year old who impaled himself with an aerial firework? Plus, aerial fireworks and bottle rockets have landed on my roof from the neighbors lighting them off. Can you imagine what would happen if one of them had landed on a neighbor's roof who had wood shakes? How would you feel if your family or friend died because their house burned down from someone's firework?

Totally get the concerns Jim. Maybe the larger question is whether the state should start enforcing people firing them off?

A reader just commented on the Richfield Patch Facebook wall. Here's a portion of what he wrote:

No poll necessary. It should be legal. Proponents argue, correctly, that fireworks are fun and we might as well bring the sales and taxes to Minnesota instead of having our residents sneak across the border to get them. Opponents use the same tired argument they do on everything: "Somebody will get hurt." When you don't like something, but need to try to make just argument against it, you play the "someone will get hurt" card. Smart people call bullship on that right away. It's a free country; let people do what they please. If someone does get hurt, it's their responsibility. Why penalize everybody because of a misguided fear that someone might accidentally get hurt. People get hurt and killed in car wrecks every day. Should we outlaw cars? Several people have drowned this summer in pools and lakes. Should we outlaw swimming?

Caitlin; That's interesting. Should we go back and let pools have whatever drains they want? Just because a child got hurt and her intestines were ripped out of her body shouldn't prohibit other children from having fun and swimming in pools with the same drain. Should we allow people to drive in cars while drinking? Just because a few people get hurt shouldn't impinge on people having fun and drinking and then have more fun while driving home?

I am all for it, as long as someone is 18, and has a drivers license or a state issued picture id.

Caitlin makes a huge point, why should others suffer because of someone else's mistake. Now we may not be suffering, we are upset. I honestly don't understand why I haven't heard of any firework companies allow bottle rockets or firecrackers sales in Minnesota, it would boost their income by alot. But that's my opinion and since this is the USA everyone is entitled to their own.

And why should the opinion of 5 officials make Dayton believe that Minnesotans are not responsible enough. For the people by the people that's what should have convinced him

And MJ if people light off fire works that keeps your kids up, I'm sorry but it should be their given right to. But there could be something like a curfew for fireworks, so that anyone lighting of fireworks after 10 or 11 pm gets a decent size ticket.

I say we should ask emergency room doctors.

Jim is correct, we must regulate some things that are inherently dangerous...which includes fireworks. I mean, think about it, this is a hand held explosive device that will burn and/or mutilate.

I tend to agree with Kris that the larger issue is enforcement.
For those of us in the Stillwater area, living along the 94 corridor, or in any Wisconsin border town for that matter, what do regulations really mean if a person can buy all the fireworks they want to just a few minutes down the road in Hudson?

Few areas showcase natural selection quite like people's fascination with firecrackers, bottle rockets and other rinky dink fireworks (sparklers don't really count). I'm not opposed to kids blowing up the birdhouse of the grumpy old man down the street once in a while, but nothing exemplifies trash quite like some hillbilly with a raging woody lighting off firecrackers in the driveway. I feel a lot worse for the dogs that get spooked by fireworks than any moron who loses a digit because he or she doesn't know how to light them off properly, or can't drink and light them off responsibly.

As long as after they blow off their hand - show up at the ER that they can either pay for the medical care or have insurance - otherwise don't ask me to pay for their stupidity.

Last night on wcco they were talking about fireworks and they said roman candles were legal in Minnesota and the St. Paul fire chief didn't correct them on it. f the fire chief who is in charge of handling fireworks doesn't know the law how dangerous are these so called aerial fireworks. More people are hurt from automobiles than fireworks so lets ban autos.More people are hurt from people not paying attention to what they are doing so lets ban people too. Do you get the picture yet?

Quite frankly I am glad they don't enforce the law. I think there are much more important things for our police officers to be doing on the fourth. Like catching Drunk Drivers. And since you can't enforce it why have it? If people are going to just run across the boarder and get the fireworks and launch them with no trouble from enforcement I would rather have them buy the fireworks here. It's funny actually how everybody says bottle rockets and firecrackers are dangerous but sparklers actually cause the most visits to the emergency room.

Test

The irresponsible people already use illegal fireworks. Legalizing them wouldnt change much other than allowing alot of responsible people to have them. You CAN believe it or not use aerial fireworks safely and have fun. For the amount of people using them id have to think that the ratio of arms being blown off and families being burned up in their homes is pretty small. Just like just about anything in life, there are Inherent dangers. That doesnt mean we have to live in bubbles.

Randy the fire chiefs in each city are in charge of handling fireworks not the police. The fire chiefs set the rules and the police are supposed to enforce the laws set by the fire chiefs. Now that you know a litle more about things maybe your the one who is ignorant.

What do you mean by "handling fireworks," Bill?
Also, fire chiefs don't set laws.

Trained people do "work". No training required for "play". This issue is about fireworks not fireplay . I agree with keeping the MN law way the way it is. The analogies and comparisons made To change current law in MN don't work for me. Go to a state where what you want to do is legal. If you are in a location where what you want to do is illegal
Then help society by please not doing it.

- In the United States annually, over 2,000 reported structure or vehicle fires were caused by fireworks. These fires resulted in numerous civilian deaths, multiple civilian injuries, and millions in direct property damage.

- The majority of fireworks injuries occurred during a 30 day period (June 23rd - July 23rd). In addition to July 4th other periods for injuries are New Years Eve and other holidays.

- Annually, over 9,000 people in the United States are treated at hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries.

- Burns are by far the leading type of fireworks injury. Contusions and lacerations were second. Hands or fingers were injured the most followed by injuries to the eye.

- Injuries to children 5 and under were caused by sparklers which are viewed as harmless and not dangerous. Sparklers burn at temperatures of 2,000 degrees, which is the same as a burning match. Injuries to children 5-14 years of age were caused by firecrackers and bottle rockets.

- Males accounted for three-fourths (75%) of fireworks injuries.

- Annually, firecrackers cause the greatest number of injuries followed by bottle rockets and sparklers.

- BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND QUANTITIES IN USE, FIREWORKS POSE A HIGHER RISK OF FIRE DEATH THAN ANY OTHER CONSUMER PRODUCT.

Source:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Fire Administration
National Fire Data Center

The neighborhoods are hugely impacted for a month before and a month after the 4th of July by the noise of fire crackers, both legal and illegal, going off day and night. The neighborhoods pay the price for a few individuals who have no regard for the quality of life/sleep/right to quiet of the nearby home owners. That is actually true of noise issues in the neighborhoods every night of the year. Stillwater police don't search out noise issues on those days nor on the 4th of July. They're "too busy downtown" on the 4th. What are they "too busy" doing on the other nights?

Yes. Keep the tax revenue in MN and not WI.

Here's what a few people are commenting on the Maple Grove Patch Facebook page to the question "Should Firecrackers and Bottle Rockets Be Legal In Minnesota?:

- ABSOLUTELY NOT. Random acts of fireworks can send troops with post traumatic stress into a tailspin.

- I don't get it. The state wants to save us from ourselves with some laws (seatbelt, texting, drunk driving, et all - all good) but may allow some of the most dangerous activities. Will the state be subsidizing cities' EMS and FD personnel to cover the added incidents?

How many years were they legal and how much fun did you have as a child doing this in your back yard with your family every year, I say legalize those things here and just designate a park or opened space to use them where there are fixed areas to place and light them off away from homes and grumpy neighbors who have forgotten the fun of it all. On another note keep M80's out of the loop those things suck and are far worse than any thing I've seen lit on the 4th of July my entire life. Everything is dangerous, even people so in a every argument there will be nay Sayers that use what if arguments and thumb uppers that use the "well this is bad too so why isn't that illegal" counter none of which reall holds weight because both are true. The difference is the people doing the arguing.

Just legalize them. People will do stupid things whether they are legal or not. (People still drink and drive and drinking is still legal.) We are losing out on a lot of revenue by not legalizing them. Police don't have enough cops to stop all illegal fireworks. With all the sales of illegal fireworks to Minnesotans in neighboring states, only a few are caught. But I also think we should allow each city or park to ban and or regulate them as they choose.

I agree, Donna. People need to learn to be more accountable, and government needs to stay out of our daily lives in this manner. Too much nanny state. We need to remember what the day itself is - Independence Day - and actually look at our personal independence we are supposed to be celebrating, and understand that allowing devices on fireworks to keep them from lighting, or any number of other over-the-top security measures brought upon us in recent history limits our independence by making us all feel very dependent on Big Brother to keep us "safe"

The "personal accountability" argument is great, but how do you enforce it? We have been having another debate here on Patch about the same thing. We must face it, there will always be idiots who are not responsible, like drunk drivers and those who foolishly mix alcohol and fireworks. This is why the government steps in....to make laws trying to protect people from those who are irresponsible. Is it right, I am not sure, but I am glad that less people are allowed to legally be irresponsible.

So.... It is legal to own a hand gun,rifle, shotgun, and other firearms... but illegal to shoot off fireworks?

I grew up and spent most of my life in Kansas, a firework friendly state. I've lived here in Minnesota for the past 12 years. One thing that I've noticed here is that most people either casually support or are extremely irritated by fireworks.

Trust me, there were never any "horror" stories about kids or adults destroying themselves with aerial or concussive/report style fireworks where I grew up. Once it's legalized, people get used to them, plain and simple. The state may allow "real" fireworks to be purchased and used, but it boils down to the city ordinances. That's how it worked in Kansas. You'd have to go out of city limits to purchase/use for most towns, but some towns did in fact allow it. Those were where the responsible people lived.

I do have a suggestion though that could promote a safe 4th of July holiday while using "real" fireworks should the law change: cities could designate some parks as legal areas to shoot them off, under the supervision of the local fire departments. If anyone was doing something irresponsible or stupid, give them a warning and/or write a citation. Teach the citizens and the children how to be safe, and should something bad happen, help is right there immediately available. This is also how some towns in Kansas operate.

I can see the fire officials point though, but I think their argument is essentially: "If 100% of all participants cannot act in a safe manner then they should be illegal." That's never going to happen.

For whatever reason, there is no effort to enforce the law in Woodbury.

Last night (the 4th), there was a longer than two-hour window of constant fireworks in Stonemill Farms going until at least 11 when I nodded off. It was a bit like being in a war zone. And that followed some truly spectacular fireworks which occurred the night before. If the amount spent on fireworks is any indication (my neighbor spent more than $1000 on his show this year), I'd say we've turned the corner on the recession (which is worth celebrating).

Thanks Guy. I did talk to the PD this morning. No one blew their fingers off or anything last night.

I have a hard time distinguishing between the arguments for allowing dogs and allowing fireworks. My 10 year old son has now been bitten 3 times by dogs, all while he was outside either walking with me or at the playground with his friends. I had my ear torn by a dog as a teenager, and as an avid bike rider I've had dogs chase my bike and I'm always a bit worried about being hamstrung.

Dogs are obviously a danger to others, just like fireworks. They obviously make lots of unwanted and often annoying noises, and certainly the 'litter' they leave behind is every bit as unpleasant as shredded fireworks.

I'd be interested in someone explaining to me how dogs should be allowed and fireworks shouldn't?

Joshie - that is a very good point, and I recognize you said that as well Susan.

The 1st time my son was bit was on the 4th of July in Gordon Wisconsin. He was a toddler walking with one hand held by my wife and the other waving free as he toddled. A dog came racing by and took a bite on his hand, puncturing and tearing his skin.

The 2nd time he was 6 years old and at his grandfathers house in St. Paul, and a dog raced up and when my son understandably was frightened and raised his hands, the dog slashed him in the arm.

3rd time he was 9 and we were hiking in 7 Mile Creek park near Mankato. A dog owner opened a van door releasing a couple of excited little girls and two hyperactive dogs. The dogs were running all over scenting and barking crazily, and they ran by me snapping as I dodged and a second later they hit my son, tearing up his leg. If he hadn't been wearing very heavy hiking pants, he would be crippled rather than just punctured.

Per http://www.dogsbite.org, 1000 people per *day* require emergency treatment due to dog bites.

And all that said, I do agree that dog owners are the problem - in each case, the dog owner claimed the dog was perfectly safe, and in all cases the dog was off the leash and overly stimulated, and with my son giving off understandable fear signals, he seems to now be the target.

I'll continue to believe dogs are at least as dangerous as fireworks.