Pols Pass Fireworks Bill in Time for Independence Day

After a failed attempt last fall, a bill to legalize the use of sparklers and other small fireworks around July 4 and New Year’s Eve finally passed in the State Legislature, but only after the bill’s sponsors exempted New York City, the Gannett Albany writes. 

Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, one of the bill’s sponsors, said legalizing some small fireworks would prevent people from buying them out of state. The bill’s provisions also would help reduce the use of illegal fireworks and homemade devices and encouraging the use of safe and legally regulated novelty devices

However, New York City is exempt from the bill due to the concerned that any legal fireworks could increase the threat of terrorism.

“The increasing threat of terrorism has changed forever how we perceive any kinds of fireworks,” said Joseph Garba,the state legislative director for New York City. “Once regarded as harmless entertainment, we know now that they are not.”