NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I was just down on the beach launching some fireworks.

Only problem, fireworks are illegal in Florida, but it's New Years' Eve and those laws are rarely enforced then.

This time, some cops came up, asked to see my ID. Saw that I'm from GA, and asked if I brought the fireworks from home with me.
I told them that I'd bought them in Alabama on the way down, and they informed me that they were illegal and that I had to destroy the fireworks.

One of them shines a flashlight in my face and asks, "Your eyes alright?"

Now, my immediate instinct was to say "well, I'd be fine if you'd stop shining this damn flashlight in my face," but, given the circumstances, I just replied "yeah, I'm fine."

"Well, your eyes look red. Probably from the smoke from the fireworks." (Heh. Yeah. He, seeing my long hair and my UGA hoodie, probably assumed I was drunk/high.)

"Well, rip the wicks out and put them under the shower at the end of the boardwalk, then throw them away. You have a good evening now."

(I didn't do so, though... I just put them up in my trunk. I'll be damned if I waste my money.)

So, what are your opinions on laws banning fireworks, and would you enforce those laws on New Years' Eve if you were a cop?

There are beaches in Alabama?

There are beaches in Alabama?

He was at a beach in Georgia, but yes there are beaches in Alabama. Ever heard of Mobile? You know, the coastal city?

Yes, there are beaches in Alabama. It sits on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Granted, there's not very much beaches, but they're definitely there, down around Mobile and on either side of Mobile Bay.

Oops, I forgot to include that I was in Florida. I went through Alabama to get here. >.> Yeah. Um. That.

EDIT: Rather, I didn't proofread and put "Alabama" instead of "Florida."

North Carolina has a ban on Fireworks that launches a projectile up into the air, but that's ok because there are like 100's of Fireworks stores on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina on the South Carolina side. People just go down there to buy the fireworks that launches projectiles, the law is rarely enforced in NC.

With that being said, I think the law is stupid and should be removed.

EDIT: Rather, I didn't proofread and put "Alabama" instead of "Florida."

Florida has beaches? :eek:

There are beaches in Alabama?

:rolleyes: Nope. The state just goes straight into the Gulf with no beaches...

He was at a beach in Georgia, but yes there are beaches in Alabama. Ever heard of Mobile? You know, the coastal city?

;)

Only problem, fireworks are illegal in Alabama, but it's New Years' Eve and those laws are rarely enforced then.

Noting that it's been edited now to read Florida...

Florida has beaches? :eek:

Florida is above water? :eek:

Florida is above water? :eek:

Florida looks like a male phallus?! :eek:

My country has a weak ban on some of the more explosive firecrackers, but many people still lose hands and fingers on fireworks. Firecrackers, along with exploded hands, are an integral part of our New Years Day celebration.

Florida is above water? :eek:

For the time being. :)

I am a cop, who's just got home from policing the New Year's celebrations in London. I don't know about fireworks, but our approach to alcohol might be a useful comparison.

In theory, it was illegal to consume alcohol in public in the whole of the centre of the city all night; any police officer was able to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol seen carried. In practice, however, we couldn't give a monkey's about the odd can of beer or even open bottle of wine. We only did anything in the cases where it looked like people were going to be causing trouble if they drank too much more.

That's how it often works on the whole: if people are clearly behaving themselves, no need to insist on the letter of the law - but it's there to pre-empt trouble if we think there's any coming.

I am a cop, who's just got home from policing the New Year's celebrations in London. I don't know about fireworks, but our approach to alcohol might be a useful comparison.

In theory, it was illegal to consume alcohol in public in the whole of the centre of the city all night; any police officer was able to confiscate and dispose of any alcohol seen carried. In practice, however, we couldn't give a monkey's about the odd can of beer or even open bottle of wine. We only did anything in the cases where it looked like people were going to be causing trouble if they drank too much more.

That's how it often works on the whole: if people are clearly behaving themselves, no need to insist on the letter of the law - but it's there to pre-empt trouble if we think there's any coming.

Well, I was behaving myself quite well. I'm very well behaved for a college student. I think they just assumed I'd cause problems cause of my age and my rather long hair. :D

I'm all for a fireworks ban, but then again home is Nevada where wildfires can run out of control for weeks in tinder dry sagebrush.

I'm all for a fireworks ban, but then again home is Nevada where wildfires can run out of control for weeks in tinder dry sagebrush.

Well at least for you guys that's all that burns. Here in Colorado we burn forests. And animals. It's not good.

I'm all for allowing fireworks as long as the people using them don't do something stupid like blow their fingers off or start fires. Unfortunately, people do cause problems with fireworks, which is why we have things like fireworks laws and the Darwin Awards.

And especially today, I'm thinking, "lighten up! (no pun intended) It's New Years!"

Well at least for you guys that's all that burns. Here in Colorado we burn forests. And animals. It's not good.
Oh no, we do have forest fires for a change of pace, but I fear fire like I fear no other thing because I've seen how quickly it can grow out of control in Nevada.

A) Colossal waste of money going mostly to China (admittedly via Native American reservations). I'd rather see a professional show than waste my money by watching it go up in smoke and flames.

B) Residential fires can be caused by fireworks.

C) Pets can be adversely affected by the noise.

I think it's time we leave this stuff to the pros. However, it isn't like bans actually work. I just can't imagine doing what is the more flashy equivalent of taking money, lighting it on fire and cheering while it burns.

don't get caught
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Np [ro;me!

Well at least for you guys that's all that burns. Here in Colorado we burn forests. And animals. It's not good.

As a kid who's started a wild fire, QFF[uckin']T.

No, I wouldn't give two shits about people setting off fireworks.. I'd have real crime to be waiting for and donuts to be eating.

fireworks are illegal in city limits here (well, the city I live in) because you could burn down houses and half the time we have been on a burn ban for the last 5 years and a small fire could burn down the whole city.

When I lived in Tucson I was under the understanding they were illegal everywhere in Arizona, it's fine with me, 99% of the population is too stupid to use them properly and they could cause major damage.

He was at a beach in Georgia, but yes there are beaches in Alabama. Ever heard of Mobile? You know, the coastal city?

Yes, there are beaches in Alabama. It sits on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Granted, there's not very much beaches, but they're definitely there, down around Mobile and on either side of Mobile Bay.

:rolleyes: Nope. The state just goes straight into the Gulf with no beaches...


Hey, not all of us here are from Europe. :p

When I lived in Tucson I was under the understanding they were illegal everywhere in Arizona, it's fine with me, 99% of the population is too stupid to use them properly and they could cause major damage.

Man, those exploding cactii sure were loud last night!

So, what are your opinions on laws banning fireworks, and would you enforce those laws on New Years' Eve if you were a cop?

FTW, if you want to celebrate new years then do it! and no i would not enforce that law, unless it was LG lighting it up...

Since fall, there's this house down the street that keeps on launching fireworks every week or so, and ten minutes later the cops patrol by looking for the people who did it. They have yet to find them.

Pretty comical, really.

I can make my own fireworks out of household items. That's the problem with a fireworks ban, drug ban, or gun ban, you can always make your own. Best thing to do is make it legal and as safe as possible.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d9d31fb068 -final explosion killed camera man


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=1603303d7e

For the time being. :)

Above is relative. Re: Everglades.

If you want to get around the bang, drop the firecrakers in a water filled prignles can. Keep them small, or the can will split, and will make it louder.

Since mn bans anything airborne(not enforced that heavily as long as its during the day when its not disurbing anyone the cops don't care.

Since mn bans anything airborne(not enforced that heavily as long as its during the day when its not disurbing anyone the cops don't care.
Where do you think you're you going with that thought? Thoughtlifters like you are destroying Minnesota values and consumer safety. Why I'll have Amy write up a law banning this before you can recite the complete, unabridged works of Ayn Rand.

Did you pick up any fireworks for New Years? I bought some pop-its but the don't have anything like the flares they sell on the 4th.

Where do you think you're you going with that thought? Thoughtlifters like you are destroying Minnesota values and consumer safety. Why I'll have Amy write up a law banning this before you can recite the complete, unabridged works of Ayn Rand.

Did you pick up any fireworks for New Years? I bought some pop-its but the don't have anything like the flares they sell on the 4th.

I don't normally have them in the winter, by this time of year i have used them all.