6 Jul
2001
6 Jul
'01
11:13 a.m.
You'd like it here in Florida. Fireworks have made a real come
back. I was outside on the 3rd and 4th and fireworks were popping off in
every direction all day and all night long. It's still technically illegal
to shoot them but it's seldom enforced now. Around this time of year and
on January 1, every major intersection has a large stand selling fireworks.
Most of them are the wimpy class C stuff but they make up for it in shear
volume. There are even a number of stores that sell nothing but fireworks
that are now open year round. I stopped at one at I-95 and SR 520 and
stocked up the week before.
I think the state law here in Florida is that you cannot ignite any
fireworks other than class "C" without a permit and permits are only given
to professional pyromaniacs. Basically, that leaves sparklers and smoke
bombs the only legal devices that individuals can display.
However... In Broward County where I live, if you are over 18 and sign a
waiver stating that you will not ignite them within the state, you can
legally buy whatever kind of fireworks that you want. Cherry bombs, m-80s,
arial displays (mortars), bottle rockets, roman candles, you name it.
The sheriff will routinely check the vendors to make sure they are complying
but once you leave the store, all bets are off. There is absolutely no
enforcement of the restrictions on individuals.
My ears are still ringing and I'm still choking from all the smoke.
SteveRob
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