The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee heard my bill for the sale of aerial and audible fireworks in Minnesota this Wednesday. Only ground-based sparkling fireworks, such as poppers or ground spinners, are currently legal.  The Fourth of July would make it seem otherwise.

We see large fireworks off of our docks and in our own backyards every summer.  Those larger light shows are provided by our friends in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and now Iowa.  Why should neighboring states gain revenue and jobs that should be filtering into our own economy?  My bill would make the sale of larger fireworks legal in Minnesota.

Notably, there have been echoes of safety concerns surrounding this bill from a few corners. I contend that the safety concern already exists under our current law, and that sale in our own backyard will not make a difference.  The statute that makes aerial fireworks illegal is unenforceable during the busy summer season, and there would be little added risk since everyone already enjoys them. My bill would simply ensure that revenue and jobs continue stay within our state to benefit our citizens.