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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think fireworks should only be sold under licence?

52 replies

ColdSancerre · 05/11/2011 22:42

I just think, with so many organised displays available that selling them to the general public isn't a great idea. They're dangerous if not dealt with properly, they're annoying when they are being let off late at night. Why not just limit them to organised displays?

OP posts:
Esta3GG · 05/11/2011 22:44

Because then we will officially become the most boring fucking country on earth.

worraliberty · 05/11/2011 22:45

I don't want to go to an organised display. I like having them at home with friends/family.

I do however think we should need a licence to buy them and set them off...in much the same way you need a gun licence to use and store guns.

That would limit who buys them, limit the amount of drunken accidents (hopefully) and it'd keep them out of the hands of kids if they were stored properly in a locked cupboard by the licencee.

duckdodgers · 05/11/2011 22:46

Well its up to individuals to deal with them properly isnt it? Given half a chance some people would like to ban anything and everything in this country.

troisgarcons · 05/11/2011 22:46

@ Esta3GG

post of the week!

GypsyMoth · 05/11/2011 22:48

Not everywhere has organised 'display's' you know!!?

gordyslovesheep · 05/11/2011 22:49

organised displays when? Dwalii? Eid? Nov 5th New years Eve?

YABU

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 05/11/2011 22:50

You can only sell fireworks if you're licensed to do so.

You mean you should only be able to buy them under licence?

That would be very boring, I went to a lovely display this evening in my friend's garden. Lots of kids, all fine, didn't go on late.

Maryz · 05/11/2011 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GypsyMoth · 05/11/2011 23:01

Not working well then Mary Grin

eaglewings · 05/11/2011 23:03

Was thinking about this as we watched a dispay today

Because of the effect they have on animals, and the damage they can cause, even death, I'd happily have them limited to licenced events only

So it's interesting to read about your experience Maryz as you seem to say it doesnt help and in fact makes it worse

Maryz · 05/11/2011 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DogsBestFriend · 05/11/2011 23:08

I was going to agree with the OP, then I read Maryz's post. :(

I love fireworks, I'm the biggest kid going for them BUT every year there seems to be children hurt, every year there are thousands of stressed animals (not just pets but livestock too), some of whom need medication, some who, like one of my dogs, could die through the stress owing to existing health conditions, every year several hundred, if not thousands of poor buggers are frightened with good cause through stupid or malicious use.

Somewhere, somehow, there surely has to be a middle ground?

GypsyMoth · 05/11/2011 23:14

Do thunderstorms not have a similiar effect on animals?

FreddieMercurysBolero · 05/11/2011 23:16

I was going to say the same Mary... I've never heard of the gardai confiscating fireworks here.

DogsBestFriend · 05/11/2011 23:20

Not often, IME, ILT.

Certainly not unless the storm is right overhead in my experience.

The rescue I help at has 70 (ish) dogs. It's out in the country so they hear few fireworks as a rule, this year being not wildly exceptional.

When there are storms (East Anglia Fens, so flat and when it storms it just rolls for miles), only one of their dogs really stresses. He's a Golden Retriever and until he was moved into a different area used to jump over into the neighbouring kennel, which houses a big, gobby German Shepherd, for a cuddle and comfort.

Tonight I'm told that he's not the only one stressing, that a few are, with upset tums, pacing, panting and fearfulness.

Maryz · 05/11/2011 23:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GypsyMoth · 05/11/2011 23:24

Dogsbestfriend.... The way you talk about dogs makes me want to get one NOW!!

DogsBestFriend · 05/11/2011 23:34

:o

Nothing better than a hairy face to greet you, a reason to get out in the fresh air, a furry soul to cuddle on a cold night or a head on your lap in concern if you're unhappy, IMHO, ILT. :o

Better than a sodding cat who wanders the house screaming to be let out on bonfire night, IMHO >

Grevling · 05/11/2011 23:49

"And they should only be allowed on Hallowe'en night (Ireland) or bonfire night (UK), or maybe the nearest Saturday night.

Any other night should be illegal, and enforced as such."

So what about people that celebrate nights other than those above. Eid, New Years eve, Diwali etc. Then you get onto weddings.

Personally I think it's fine as it is. Sell them to adults (21+) hand out stiff penalties for people who abuse them.

SacreLao · 06/11/2011 01:46

I tend to agree.

If you could see the stupid bloody kids (most of which are over 28 actually) in this area that tonight are:

Posting them through letterboxes of people
Throwing them at people in the street
Throwing them down drains, into shop doors etc.

Most people would agree.

Last year some evil fucking bastard killed a local dog that was out in it's garden by strapping a firework to it's collar and lighting it.

The owners of the dog were out, and clearly idiots for leaving it in the garden on bonfire night, and it bled to death, most likely in a hell of a lot of pain.

Something should be done to stop this from happening and if that means restricting the purchase of it then so be it!

SacreLao · 06/11/2011 01:48

DBF I have one of those sodding cats.

No matter how many times I tell her she can't go out tonight she sits at the door crying and managed to escape earlier when I was popping to the shop meaning I had to spend over half an hour chasing her around in my huge pregnant state to make sure she was back in the house before the fireworks started.

Cats don't know what's bloody good for them!

startail · 06/11/2011 01:49

Because some of us are responsible adults not yobs.
If you ban fireworks the antisocial idiots in society will just find some other way to be annoying.

SacreLao · 06/11/2011 01:55

Startail

Very good point!

It's just such a shame that the minority ruin it for everyone else.
Perhaps the solution is to have much tougher penalties on those who abuse fireworks, and in the meantime hope they all blow themselves up stay away from the idiots.

Fo0ffyShmooffer · 06/11/2011 02:28

After cleaning up the third lot of poo and wee from my poor old terrified Dog, yes I would love them banned.
I can see the flip side of it normally but right now I am very upset for her.

ZonkedOut · 06/11/2011 03:30

Is it just me, or are there lots more noisy fireworks than there used to be? I remember going to displays as a kid where there was only one or two bankers? These days it seems every other one makes a loud noise.

Not to mention, back then, there were a few displays on the 5th, and some on the nearest Friday and Saturday, but that was it. Now, we seem to have some for a week or more either side of the 5th.

I don't think a licence to buy is a bad idea, but I don't think the main problem is fireworks on the 5th itself, at least then you know when to take pets in.