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?

What about sympathy for the dogs?

If You have no sympathy for dogs how about horses mabel?

yANBU OP.

Just add Chinese lanterns to the ban.

YANBU. I'm so fed up of the noise at the moment and trying to get DS to sleep.

Because, ultimately, I think you need to be careful about making intrusive legislation that encroaches on current freedoms. If we start criminalising behaviour based on a cost v. benefit analysis then it opens up swathes of other currently legal behaviours that are also sub-par and inconvenient. I don't think that's the hallmark of a mature legislation.

I think there's room to persuade and nudge behaviour but I'm not cool with criminalising willy nilly.

I've seen some horrible videos of 'children' setting them off under cars and of course disgusting incidents involving animals. They should be banned because of the scum amongst us don't know how to behave

Completely agree!

No member of the public needs to buy fireworks or set them off in their garden.

Public displays are regulated and so they should be.

Unregulated private displays are upsetting and dangerous. They are a neighbourhood nuisance and shouldn't happen.

Completely agree with licensed public displays only. Selling explosives to the general public is dangerous and isn't worth even one death or injury.

Yes, let's just ban everything so we can protect the stupid from themselves...

But how is is banning fireworks from public sale 'banning everything?'

THEY WOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH AT ORGANISED, SAFE, LICENSED PUBLIC DISPLAYS.

At least those who suffer with the noise can plan around these accordingly.

It's the Idiots setting them off at any time of day/night when least expected are the problem.

Well, I don't think it's ever going to happen. Thankfully.

I hate them. I can just about tolerate organised displays that actually have some sort of thought behind them but the scum around me can’t be trusted with them.

Throwing them at people, cars, animals. Someone in my local area had a firework thrown at her while riding her horse- in my opinion that’s attempted murder.

Animals and wildlife terrified not to mention how utterly sad and pointless they are. I can’t imagine being so easily entertained that I’m entertained by a few flashing lights in my back garden

YANBU

It is ridiculous that explosives are on sale to the general public.
The emergency services are stretched enough without the additional pressure.
There is no need for such loud bangs, distressing to not just animals but people with PTSD, mental health problems, the elderly etc.

I would support a total ban apart from licensed and organised displays.

Well, as emergency services are so stretched - and they undeniably are- then maybe we should start with private cars and alcohol if we are in a banning mood?

@CallMeRachel You are wasting your time A lot of posters only care about the strain on the NHS when it comes to the obese and the elderly.

Which proves its just used as a stick to bash these two groups with.

Bit of a straw man there Helena.

@Baguetteaboutit

Lovely post but we’re talking about fireworks. Nobodies life was ever worse for lack of fireworks.

In what other context would we say ‘here, buy these explosives and set fire to them for fun’.

We have very high safety standards for pyrotechnics for professional use, it’s madness that we think it’s fine for everyone to have a bash no matter how poor their judgement.

I'd be very, very happy if there was a ban. Where I am, Sainsbury's has stopped selling fireworks to the general public and it has made a marked difference. It's been much quieter (and safer) this year. Thank you Sainsbury's for leading the way.

How does alcohol make anyone's lives better? Of course I'm joking but, fuck it, let's follow the logic.

YABU. I see nothing wrong with the situation as it is at present.

I agree with a PP that you should need to apply to the council for a small fee to be able to buy fireworks and let them off in your garden. This would deter idiots and anyone with an asbo or such would be rejected from getting one. They can assess where you live, your age and why you want to let them off and decide if it's suitable. Also, the 'license' would limit how many you can buy as well and when they're being let off

The problem is that if you can only see fireworks at a public display, this will inevitably exclude people for a whole host of accessibility reasons. People who have limited mobility or can't do crowds or can't get to the display, or the people who don't like loud bangs. I can't be the only one who hates the shrieking rockets and massive crowds at public displays, and would just like to set off a few roman candles in the back garden with a couple of friends and a warm drink.

@Baguetteaboutit well if you wanted to debate the pros and cons around banning alcohol I would suspect that you would end up with very little supporting it’s availability that wasn’t based on ‘we like it’. It’s a different argument though and bringing it up in this context doesn’t really add much does it. It’s worth remembering that the sale and consumption of alcohol is very heavily regulated and if the sale of fireworks was subject to the same it would probably be welcomed by a large audience.

I remember very similar debates around the smoking ban and the shift in public acceptance had been quick and strong. It was clearly a welcome move despite a very vocal minority at the time stating very similar arguments.

Built up area here. Loads of flats and car parks and loads of fireworks going off.

I agree, they are dangerius and a nuisance, and no one needs to have their own events in their gardens orgaqnised events are fine .

Straw man bollocks Either people are concerned about strain on the NHS or they arent.

They cant keep moving the goalposts to suit whatever agenda they have at the time.