Should fireworks be banned from public sale?

[Toffeeappletoty]

Last night a group of teens/young men were setting of fireworks on the central reservation of a dual carriageway they were running across the road, it was shocking to witness.

There was also an incident in the city centre with people throwing fireworks at members of the public.

Is it time to ban them altogether from public sale? I’ve long though that they should only be permitted for licensed organised displays.

But having said that I was talking to dh and I have many happy childhood memories of bonfire night with a few fireworks in the back garden, all done safely and finished by 8pm.

We were saying that lots of things are dangerous in the wrong hands, knives, alcohol, and there are laws around fireworks already. But some don’t follow the law, but that’s the same for lots of things.

I always find mumsnet is very anti fireworks anyway, and they are terrible for animals and wildlife.

Yanbu - ban them for public sale
Yabu - don’t ruin it for everyone just because a few can’t be responsible

Yes, but they would be allowed only on certain days.

It's depressing to see just how many people are suggesting silent fireworks. Silent fireworks do not, and cannot exist. The laws of physics make them an impossibility. Time to ban the sale of fireworks to the public.

I love fireworks but I also live a couple of miles away from a very Asian area. I’ve just googled and we have no less than ten Asian banqueting/wedding halls in our town. As a result we have fireworks several nights a week, usually well after midnight. Police have spoken to the venues but the culprits are young male guests who leave the venue and set them off on playing fields, school playgrounds, or the local Asda supermarket, and then leave the debris for someone else to clear up. It’s all year round.

Silent fireworks? I'm not sure what you mean here, sorry.

Fireworks dont have to be involved for people to act like dangerous prats. Was taking a taxi home from DMs last night when grown arse blokes thought they would scare the taxi driver by standing at a junction and screaming into the drivers window. as we drove past. I couldnt make out the costumes they were wearing in the dark Looked like monks robes. More likely dressed as zombies.

Yes they should be banned and the licensed displays restricted to one for each area.

That's the worst of both worlds. You'd create safety problems when people overcrowded an inadequate number of displays, as well as a black market.

Round here they are set off every night from August onwards until New Year. Any enjoyment I ever had for them has long gone. I'd be happy if they were banned.

On a side note, what ever happened to Catherine wheels?

Set fire to too many sheds and fences.

fair point tho I hadn’t thought about it but I haven’t seen one in years.

I doubt that I could be living in Birmingham, NI and all the other places that had fireworks misused. Ypu don't live in England, so a ban wouldn't apply to your community.

God, I fondly remember a Catherine Wheel jumping off our back fence and chasing my dad around our garden. Happy days 😁

Yes my dad nailed one to the wooden garage door which went as well as expected 😂

I hate the stupid fucking things. No reason for them to exist at all, in my opinion. Same with stupid fucking balloons.

I think banning balloons is a bit OTT.

Tbf I accept it probably is; thinking about it, it’s just the external helium ones I mean, that kill animals all the time and litter our world.

I love fireworks. I think anything that explodes should only be available to professionals. I’m happy for the Catherine wheels and fountains to be sold, but the rockets are like bloody grenades these days.

Any fireworks should only be on specific days imo.

I think you’re right. Many people can use them responsibly and give their kids the childhood memories you have, but the dangerous minority ruin things. I would like sparklers to stay available to the masses though!

I like fireworks and enjoy going to an organised display, but I agree that sales should be heavily restricted. I don't agree with any old person being able to get hold of them - especially with such stupid people as you describe. So incredibly reckless and dangerous.

Yes we should follow the Netherlands example. Why is England always so far behind sensible decisions?

Ok, but my point is about the inevitability of black market fireworks if they were banned. Silent fireworks wouldn't address the cultural attachment to them.

as someone said earlier - Small silent ones I think are fine to have in gardens. Everyone loves a Catherine wheel. Anything that projects into the sky- no I think they frighten wildlife and are very dangerous. Only organised displays should be allowed to set off large rockets that make large bangs.

They are banned where I live. Yet they have been going off most night for 2 weeks.

Unfortunately banning things doesn't stop people.

My gramp got chased by a jumping jack firework!

It wasn't really Bonfire Night in the 80s without a Catherine Wheel going awry though!

No I can honestly say I don’t ‘love’ a Catherine wheel.

I hated fireworks even as a kid and I would love to see them completely taken off the shelves now. It’s a ridiculous ‘celebration’ and I’m only surprised the health and safety lot seem not to be bothered .