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Buying fireworks? Better read this first

 Whether kids playing with fireworks are held responsible, or their parents, will be up to the sheriff's deputy on the scene.

By Mallory Simon
Published June 27, 2006

Fireworks fanatics beware. Setting off fireworks this July 4 could land you in front of a judge.

Pasco County sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll announced Monday that deputies will enforce the state law against illegal fireworks this year by issuing a summons to anyone caught shooting them off.

The summons for illegal fireworks is a second-degree misdemeanor charge and could carry a jail sentence of up to 60 days, according to Florida law. Under the law, mere possession of the fireworks is not illegal.

The law itself has not changed. But Doll said this year the Sheriff's Office is looking to proactively patrol the county during the period around the Fourth of July.

Doll said that whether kids shooting off fireworks will receive a summons or their parents would be held responsible is up to the deputy on the scene.

"Fireworks go up, and they've got to come down," Doll said. "They can burn roofs, screened-in fences and cars. This is a noise issue, a safety issue and a basic quality of life issue."

State law prohibits the use of fireworks except for mining and agricultural uses. Before buying fireworks, stores require customers to sign a form stating they have a legitimate use for them. While many of the people buying fireworks are not using them for agricultural use, Doll said that until there is a city or county ordinance banning the sale of fireworks, his agency can only regulate the use of the explosives and not their sale.

"Law enforcement has looked away for many years because fireworks are so openly sold," Doll said.

And with a ban on the sale of fireworks in Pinellas County, Doll said, more tents and fireworks are popping up in Pasco County.

Several attempts over the past two years to ban the sale of fireworks in Pasco County have failed.

What's legal, what's not

Legal: approved sparklers, "snakes" and "glow worms," noise-makers, party poppers and booby traps.

Illegal: firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles or other devices containing explosive materials.

[Last modified June 27, 2006, 00:07:24]