Fireworks..Laws & Dangers

A new Indiana law granting local control over firework laws is turning into something of a dud. The state expanded access to all kinds of fireworks in 2006. This year, the governor gave cities and towns permission to make their own laws, but most of them have yet to act. This independence day Hoosiers will enjoy freedom from all kind of restrictive laws governing the fireworks they shoot off. Only a handful of cities and towns have taken advantage of new rules allowing them to tighten fireworks laws locally. Before you plan your explosive celebration keep this in mind: even without strict local laws police can stick crack down. In particular, theyll be looking for people who cross property lines with their pyrotechnics. But a bigger concern for police is fireworks that land where theyre not supposed to land. Officers say they are particularly concerned about those who feel the need to put on their own shows as a prelude to large shows like the finale to the Freedom Festival. With burning embers falling from the sky, you certainly run the risk of taking the fun out of the celebration. Fines for firework offenses start at 500 dollars. If you injure or kill someone, you could face a class “D” felony and up to 8 years in jail.