Bill Would Legalize Flying, Explosive Fireworks In Minnesota

Should bigger, more powerful fireworks be legalized in Minnesota? Thats what Rep. Jason Rarick, a Minnesota House Republican from Pine City, is hoping with his new proposal.

Rarick sponsors HF329, a bill that would expand the list of legal fireworks in Minnesota to include aerial and audible devices, including bottle rockets and Roman candles.

However, the bill would allow local governments to prevent such sales at their discretion.

Do you think explosive and aerial fireworks should be legalized in Minnesota? Tell us in the comments!

Proponents of the bill say the state loses tax revenue to surrounding states — about $5 million in 2010. They also note that illegal fireworks are already used by many Minnesotans, especially around the Fourth of July.

State Fire Marshal Bruce West told lawmakers that since sparklers and other ground-based novelties were legalized in 2002, injuries have increased by 120 percent, nearly half by people under age 20 and 22 percent by persons age 9 and younger.

Fireworks Laws In Minnesota

The sale, possession and use of certain non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks is permitted in Minnesota.

Examples of legal fireworks:

• Sparklers
• Cones and tubes that emit sparks
• Novelty items like snakes, and party poppers

Anything that flies or explodes is currently illegal in Minnesota. Explosive and aerial fireworks are prohibited for public sale, possession and use.

Examples of illegal fireworks:

• Firecrackers
• Bottle rockets
• Missiles
• Roman candles
• Mortars and shells

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