CLEARWATER - Pinellas County commissioners all but extinguished the county's fireworks business Tuesday.
"To me, this is not a motherhood and apple pie issue," Chairwoman Karen Seel said before calling for the vote. "This is about the safety of our citizens."
A new ordinance, unanimously approved by the commission, will effectively eliminate the county's brisk fireworks business by requiring proof that people who buy pyrotechnics comply with state law.
Now, many people get around the law by signing a form saying they are using fireworks for approved uses such as scaring birds from fish farms.
This will be the last Fourth of July that simply signing that form will be enough. As of Aug. 1, fireworks buyers will need a permit approved by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
The commissioners' decision disappointed many fireworks sellers and pyrotechnic enthusiasts who joined a crowd of more than 150 people at a two-hour public hearing.
The audience filled two rooms at the Pinellas County Courthouse, forcing officials to set up folding chairs in the lobby to accommodate the overflow.
Backers of the ordinance included many officials from Pinellas County fire and law enforcement agencies.
They complained of being overwhelmed with calls at peak fireworks times and cited the dangers to people and property.
Some opponents of the ordinance wore stickers that said: "Vote No! Keep Pinellas County Fireworks."
They argued against the loss of personal freedom and suggested that shutting down legal fireworks outlets could lead people to buy or make unsafe replacements, which may present even more danger to the public.
Some opponents said the decision will mark the end of the Fourth of July.
"You can go to Kmart and buy bullets, but they are voting against fireworks," said Joel Panabaker, a 44-year-old Pinellas Park man who enjoys using fireworks on the Fourth of July. "We have enough laws."
Commissioner Ken Welch, who introduced the proposal, was supported by all commissioners, 13 other city commissions, representatives from nearly every law enforcement and fire agency in the county, neighborhood groups and environmentalists.
"They all came together and said the community interest outweigh the special interest," Welch said afterward.
Commissioners heard from scores of people.
Fireworks sellers and their supporters advocated a compromise ordinance, suggesting a ban against selling to minors.
They claimed that the danger of using retail fireworks is minimal.
"I've shot them all and I still have all 10 of mine," said Leslie Vinson, 43, before waving his fingers at the commissioners.
But it was an opponent's visual aid that perhaps provided the night's most dramatic moment.
Rebecca Culkar held up the ragged dress that her daughter, Leah, wore two years ago when she was burned on 20 percent of her body by fireworks that misfired at a Safety Harbor block party.
The child, then 6, spent 11 days in the burn unit at Tampa General Hospital, Culkar said. She said Leah is scarred for life.
"Sometimes, we need to be saved from ourselves," Culkar said. "Nobody needs to have this kind of fireworks in their neighborhood.
Beginning Aug. 1, retailers will need a permit to sell fireworks and consumers with a legal right to purchase will need to register for a permit with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
The ordinance also gives county law enforcement officials the authority to shut down retailers who violate the ordinance.
