Fireworks Bill Promotes Celebration

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/.