Here’s the deal with fireworks in Ohio (and what you’ll pay for shooting them off)

You may think there’s nothing more American than celebrating your great nation’s independence with a big ol’ Roman candle. But, don’t you think following the law is also an important part of being an American?

Ohio law allows you to purchase fireworks in the state, but only with the promise that you high-tail it out of state lines to shoot them off. But alas, year after year, that promise is broken. Ohioans that choose to break the law face a first-degree misdemeanor with up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, reports Cincinnati.com.

Sparklers on a wire stick, toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, and noisemakers are all exceptions from the ban.

Legislators have made many attempts to lift Ohio’s ban on fireworks, but have been met with resistance from safety advocacy groups. Will they ever succeed in their mission to allow citizens to put set the sky ablaze?

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Senate Bill 72 would allow Ohioans to purchase consumer-grade fireworks and shoot them off on their own property beginning January 1, 2020—just in time to celebrate the New Year. Restrictions would include lighting fireworks while under the influence and using someone else’s property as a launch site without their permission. 

Fireworks vendors would be required to provide safety glasses and pay a fee (.4 percent of gross fireworks sales) for firefighter training programs, reports Cincinnati.com. 

Senate Bill 72 has yet to receive votes in committee, nor has the state fire marshal taken a position on the proposal.  

Above all, remember to have fun and, most importantly, stay safe this Fourth of July.

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