Fireworks Bill Promotes
Celebration
By Alex Zuffoletti - Renaissance
School
In the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States as a whole,
fireworks are often around the times of the July 4th Holiday, Independence Day.
Fireworks are used all year round, but on these special holidays you can use
them later at night. House Bill #16 put forward by Commonwealth Senator, Isaac
Dragovich and Delegate Connor Wilson, Faith Christian School, not only allows
for use of legal fireworks on private property past 10pm year-round, but
additionally extends the time in which the lighting off fireworks is
permissible on New Year’s and July 4th holidays to 2:30am. This would be an
extension of about two and a half hours from the previous time limit of
Midnight for main holidays and 10pm on non-holidays. The bill’s purpose is
primarily to allow further celebration by citizens.
Isaac Dragovich, Faith Christian School, indicated that his personal
motivation for the bill was for the love of celebration. He acknowledged that
local ordinances surrounding noise penalties could still be upheld by smaller
communities, wishing to remain silent after Midnight on July 4th and New Year’s,
or after 10pm on a normal day.
The Bill was first presented in the House Committee of Counties,
Cities, and Towns. After passing the committee it was moved to the house
chamber were again it passed. The bill was largely in unopposed by other
members, not before the patrons had to explain that if the wished, local
governments still possessed the power to limit use. The bill will next be
presented to the Commonwealth Senate chamber, and possibly to the Youth
Governor’s desk if there is continued support for this bill.
According to patch.com, “Virginia law allows use of sparklers,
fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels” (2018).
Connor Wilson, Faith Christian School, was quick to point this fact out
to the chamber so as not to allow the bill to be confused as allowing rockets to
be shot into the sky. The bill only covers these legal fireworks and makes sure
to allow sovereignty by local government. Cities like Alexandria for example,
have strict and severe rules surrounding the use of any firework whatsoever
according to WTOP.com (2017).
References:
Leayman, Emily. “What
Fireworks Are Legal In Virginia 2018.” Kingstowne-Rose Hill, VA Patch, Patch, 21 June 2018, patch.com/virginia/kingstowne/where-fireworks-are-allowed-sale-use-around-virginia-2018.
Uliano, Dick. “What Are
the Fireworks Laws in DC, Maryland and Virginia?” WTOP, WTOP, 30 June 2017, wtop.com/fourth-of-july/2017/06/dc-maryland-virginia-fireworks-laws/.
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