displayfireworks1
08-08-2014, 09:14 PM
If you look at how consumer fireworks were legalized in the state of Michigan, it is an example of how to do it the wrong way. This is where organizations like the American Pyrotechnic Association and/or The National Fireworks Association need to run public service announcements to teach the average consumer how to behave when using fireworks. Here is a recent article of the move to try to go back to the pre 2011 ban on consumer firework sin the state of Michigan.
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https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/399767664/Glenn.07_400x400.jpg
http://oaklandcounty115.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140716fireworksTITLE.jpg
Anderson last week introduced Senate Bills 1023 and 1024 to re-establish the ban on aerial and explosive fireworks, which account for the vast majority of noise complaints and serious injuries. In 2011, Anderson was the only senator to vote against the fireworks law change.
“Something must be done to get this under control,” Anderson said. “Since the law was changed, in addition to the disturbance of the peace, Michigan residents have endured property damage and injuries, even deaths, related to these higher powered explosives now available. On top of that, the revenue that was promised by sponsors just hasn’t materialized. The burden of inspecting all of the new firework sale locations is virtually impossible and is costing the state more than licensing fees bring in.”In the wake of Anderson’s initial announcement that legislation would be introduced, hundreds of citizens from across the state contacted his office with stories of sleepless nights during the work week, traumatized pets that have to be sedated for the holidays and fire damage from launches in dense urban communities.
Anderson has also heard from numerous veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder who found the endless bombardment of fireworks to severely intensify their anxiety.
“For some of these veterans who served our country, the non-stop fireworks explosions in their neighborhoods cause symptoms so debilitating that they can’t leave their own homes. It’s completely unacceptable,” Anderson said.
Current law
Current state law allows for the use of aerial and explosive fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday. Communities are granted the authority to regulate the time frame that fireworks are allowed on those days, but users are totally disregarding the currently permitted days and hours. Most communities have had little success in dealing with the problems the new law has created. With fireworks available on virtually every corner, fireworks use has skyrocketed, leaving numerous local police departments without the resources to address the problem
“The National Fire Protection Association collects data every year that shows fireworks hurt a lot of people and start a lot of fires,” said Northville Township Deputy Fire Chief Richard Marinucci, former president of the Southeast Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and a vocal opponent of the 2011 changes. “We’re in the business of safety and fire prevention, so these products cause a serious problem for us.”
Many local communities have protested the firework deregulation since 2011 and have become more vocal with each passing holiday season and some have taken steps to pass resolutions calling on the Legislature to repeal the changes made in 2011.
Completely independent of Anderson’s efforts, a citizen-initiated petition started on the activist site MoveOn.org calls for the “members of the Michigan Legislature to immediately repeal the Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011 and for the governor to sign that repeal, in the interest of the safety and well-being of the citizens of Michigan.” The petition currently has more than 11,000 citizen signatures, with a stated goal of 15,000.
Proponents of the 2011 law have argued that surrounding states, such as Indiana, were stealing revenue from Michigan as citizens crossed the border to purchase prohibited fireworks. Some have suggested that changing the law to allow local cities and townships to decide for themselves whether or not to ban the higher-powered fireworks would be preferred over a statewide ban. Critics of this approach, however, argue that any option that leaves these fireworks readily available to the public will not solve the problem.
'Keep the peace'
“I am all for empowering local communities with more tools to help protect their citizens and keep the peace, but a half-measure like this won’t make the difference needed to regulate these fireworks,” Anderson said. “If we give a city the power to ban the fireworks and they take that step, then citizens are just going to drive to a neighboring community where the fireworks aren’t illegal, stock their arsenal and bring them home. The key to addressing this problem is limiting accessibility by a statewide ban.
“Giving locals the ability to ban the fireworks won’t do anything to provide police and fire the resources they need to deal with the problem and ends up creating a confusing patchwork across the state,” he added. “I love to celebrate Independence Day as much as anyone and the freedom to do so responsibly is important, but no one should be given a license to terrorize their neighborhood and deny people the peaceful enjoyment of their own homes.”
The bill is expected to be referred to committee Wednesday, when the state Senate meets again for session.
Anderson represents the state Senate 6th District, which includes the communities of Livonia, Westland, Garden City and Redford Township. He also serves as the Democratic vice chair of the Appropriations Committee.
.
.
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/399767664/Glenn.07_400x400.jpg
http://oaklandcounty115.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140716fireworksTITLE.jpg
Anderson last week introduced Senate Bills 1023 and 1024 to re-establish the ban on aerial and explosive fireworks, which account for the vast majority of noise complaints and serious injuries. In 2011, Anderson was the only senator to vote against the fireworks law change.
“Something must be done to get this under control,” Anderson said. “Since the law was changed, in addition to the disturbance of the peace, Michigan residents have endured property damage and injuries, even deaths, related to these higher powered explosives now available. On top of that, the revenue that was promised by sponsors just hasn’t materialized. The burden of inspecting all of the new firework sale locations is virtually impossible and is costing the state more than licensing fees bring in.”In the wake of Anderson’s initial announcement that legislation would be introduced, hundreds of citizens from across the state contacted his office with stories of sleepless nights during the work week, traumatized pets that have to be sedated for the holidays and fire damage from launches in dense urban communities.
Anderson has also heard from numerous veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder who found the endless bombardment of fireworks to severely intensify their anxiety.
“For some of these veterans who served our country, the non-stop fireworks explosions in their neighborhoods cause symptoms so debilitating that they can’t leave their own homes. It’s completely unacceptable,” Anderson said.
Current law
Current state law allows for the use of aerial and explosive fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday. Communities are granted the authority to regulate the time frame that fireworks are allowed on those days, but users are totally disregarding the currently permitted days and hours. Most communities have had little success in dealing with the problems the new law has created. With fireworks available on virtually every corner, fireworks use has skyrocketed, leaving numerous local police departments without the resources to address the problem
“The National Fire Protection Association collects data every year that shows fireworks hurt a lot of people and start a lot of fires,” said Northville Township Deputy Fire Chief Richard Marinucci, former president of the Southeast Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and a vocal opponent of the 2011 changes. “We’re in the business of safety and fire prevention, so these products cause a serious problem for us.”
Many local communities have protested the firework deregulation since 2011 and have become more vocal with each passing holiday season and some have taken steps to pass resolutions calling on the Legislature to repeal the changes made in 2011.
Completely independent of Anderson’s efforts, a citizen-initiated petition started on the activist site MoveOn.org calls for the “members of the Michigan Legislature to immediately repeal the Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011 and for the governor to sign that repeal, in the interest of the safety and well-being of the citizens of Michigan.” The petition currently has more than 11,000 citizen signatures, with a stated goal of 15,000.
Proponents of the 2011 law have argued that surrounding states, such as Indiana, were stealing revenue from Michigan as citizens crossed the border to purchase prohibited fireworks. Some have suggested that changing the law to allow local cities and townships to decide for themselves whether or not to ban the higher-powered fireworks would be preferred over a statewide ban. Critics of this approach, however, argue that any option that leaves these fireworks readily available to the public will not solve the problem.
'Keep the peace'
“I am all for empowering local communities with more tools to help protect their citizens and keep the peace, but a half-measure like this won’t make the difference needed to regulate these fireworks,” Anderson said. “If we give a city the power to ban the fireworks and they take that step, then citizens are just going to drive to a neighboring community where the fireworks aren’t illegal, stock their arsenal and bring them home. The key to addressing this problem is limiting accessibility by a statewide ban.
“Giving locals the ability to ban the fireworks won’t do anything to provide police and fire the resources they need to deal with the problem and ends up creating a confusing patchwork across the state,” he added. “I love to celebrate Independence Day as much as anyone and the freedom to do so responsibly is important, but no one should be given a license to terrorize their neighborhood and deny people the peaceful enjoyment of their own homes.”
The bill is expected to be referred to committee Wednesday, when the state Senate meets again for session.
Anderson represents the state Senate 6th District, which includes the communities of Livonia, Westland, Garden City and Redford Township. He also serves as the Democratic vice chair of the Appropriations Committee.