To think fireworks should not be for sale to the general public

[lastqueenofscotland]

Maybe I just live in a crap area where kids let them off in the street and throw them at people. But people buying them and using them like utter cretins seems to be on the rise.
Aibu to think they should be for organised displays only?

YANBU. I'm sick of the wretched things going off. It would be OK if it was confined to night time and the odd 'occasion' night a year, but they go off for weeks, during the daytime, on random nights when you're trying to get to sleep ...

I don't think the masses should be penalised for irresponsible minority. We love our family display and all our neighbours do too.

For those who think public use/purchase of fireworks is fine..

How do YOU suggest sale/use is policed/enforced?

A major issue with fireworks is by the time someone gets there, the perpetrator of the crime is long gone and the damage done.

You may think your neighbours all love your fireworks, I can assure you there will be people subjected to YOUR display, who do not love it at all - the sound travels far further than your immediate neighbours and affects far more people.

You may think 'well we only do it once a year' but here they have been going off since thursday, there will be displays every night from one neighbour or another until next sunday.

From then til probably the second week into the new year we will have random fireworks, let off by drunken idiots, by kids, by someone whose kid has a birthday this time of year.

I am normally in agreement with not letting the masses suffer for the actions of the irresponsible minority, but in this case, even the actions of the responsible majority are causing distress to many.

YANBU I totally agree

Yanbu
I don’t think fireworks should be available
They should be banned immediately

Completely agree OP.

There is no need for it. Anyone who wants to can go to public displays.
My poor cat has spent about the last week behind the sofa!

I agree and was just saying the same thing last night!

A bit unreasonable maybe. I dont (think) I live in a bad area but people were having fireworks going off in their backgarden a 11pm last night. Way too late. I think it should be regualted.ĺ

I totally agree, no idea how you would police it though. And as always, just allowing over 25 's to purchase them doesn't mean only responsibile people will use them - I know idiot antisocials of all ages.

I LOVE fireworks but I completely agree. Would also make them more special for us all. I don't think it should be too hard to buy them....make it councils have to issue a licence which you apply and pay for then show before you buy them. (This would allow schools, weddings, religious bodies etc to still have them).

I agree. We have already had several go off today, it's broad daylight outside, I think it's kids messing about, I did go out to look, probably not my best idea, but they must have scattered by then as no one was around. My pets are terrified this time of the year, we seem to get it for a week either side of bonfire night, it's becoming ridiculous.
I was at a party years ago where a man was seriously burnt all up his arm and chest when someone had bought some fireworks from one of those pop up shops, it went off as soon as he lit it so didn't have time to stand back, it was horrific. I've always said since then they should be banned and should be limited to organised events.

YANBU. At the very least only the quiet ones below a certain dB should be on general sale.

Mmm how would you police a more restrictive policy on fireworks...

1/ You need a licence, meaning the purchaser is registered with the licencing body AND with the seller of the fireworks.

2/ To obtain this licence you'd need to prove you are:

i/ over 25
ii/ have a suitable venue over a certain size, over a certain distance from main roads and built up areas
iii/ appropriate insurance for your event
iv/ have attended a safety course for firework use and obtained a current certificate

3/ You have to advertise your event in several public locations/publications 14 days in advance of the event so that others can avoid.

4/ You, the licence holder, are responsible for the fireworks you purchase, if those fireworks are found in the possession of someone not named on the licence then you AND THEY are breaking the law.

That should be sufficient to put a stop to the majority of daytime, malicious, stupid and dangerous use of fireworks, whilst still permitting the use of fireworks safely, by suitably qualified persons, at suitable locations.

Never go to Holland for New Year’s Eve op. 😱

Totally agree. No one actually needs to have a home display and I can guarantee some neighbours are not so happy.
We have had them going off from about 4pm here and some in the early hours. The dog is a wreck and there are always kids letting off the odd one when you least expect it. Bloody dangerous.
Plus, the amount most people can afford for home use doesn’t really constitute a display.
An actual organised display can be beautiful however!

I don't think the masses should be penalised for irresponsible minority.
^This

Sick of ever increasing bans because of a few cretins.

But no objection to this -
At the very least only the quiet ones below a certain dB should be on general sale.
Fuck knows why they have to be so loud.

I agree OP. I have no pets, but still can't bear to think of all those dogs suffering.

Yanbu but there's always people who feel they should be entitled to buy their explosives because they like them so who cares about anyone else.

Not just dogs, of course. Plenty of other household pets suffer because of the noise. Wildlife also. Horses in fields panic and can injure/kill themselves with it. Farm animals the same.

Many years ago my mum worked in a shop which sold fireworks at this time of year. A teenage boy bought some ( yes the law was more lax then) and stuffed them in his pockets.
A prankster friend of his lit one that was sticking out of his pocket. The boy died.
I’ll never forget my mother’s breakdown.
As long as they are available to be sold in shops, idiots will always be able to get their hands on them.

YANBU

Home fireworks displays are incredibly selfish.

Yanbu I completely agree

YANBU, I totally agree!

Yanbu I agree. I think fireworks are boring anyway.