Fireworks are used often in California especially in Los Angeles, a crowded and hazardous place to use fireworks. Illegal fireworks are often obtained by smuggling or through suppliers often known as "plugs." On Independence Day 2020, there was a surge of fireworks state-wide, especially illegal fireworks. However these fireworks tend to be a little more dangerous as "plugs" tend to sell country-wide banned fireworks such as, professional grade fireworks which are very dangerous and can cause serious injuries.

 

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Safety & Regulations:

I know if we properly educate people on safe usage of fireworks through pamphlets, online videos, in-store explanation, and voluntary classes, enforce safety measures such as having them to be a certain distance away from multiple hazards (homes, trees, shrub, etc), depending on the particular type of firework as well (rockets would require stricter regulation than consumer grade firecrackers or fountains), and require people using or having obtained fireworks to always have a fire extinguisher next to them whenever fireworks are used. If these procedures are followed it will heavily reduce any injuries or potential property damage.

Each city of every county should have the right to enforce restrictions as there are greater hazards in a city or suburb than somewhere rural. They should be able to dedicate "safety-zones" where fireworks can be used freely with less restrictions on type of firework usage, all consumer fireworks allowed. However safety measures should still be just as enforced as if they were being used in a cul-de-sac of a neighborhood. To give an example of a restriction, rockets and zipper cakes should not be allowed to be used in a neighborhood, aerial fireworks should not be used in the majority of a city due to many hazards, safe and sane state-approved fountains are safe to use in a suburb cul-de-sac, smaller mortar shells with plastic caps instead of paper are also safe to use in a cul-de-sac of a suburb with proper safety measures. Lighting fireworks near a powerline, tree, vehicle, establishment (store), sidewalk would not be legal. All fireworks should especially not be used in windy weather.

To put this in simple terms, fireworks that are in the path of hazards and cannot be used safely should not be used within that zone. Cities can regulate this by a checklist system. For example, if there is a tall building do not set off fireworks anywhere near it. 

If this is accepted I would love to discuss with each and every city willing to participate and unwilling to participate on how these safety measures could be properly enforced so that firework enthusiasts can really enjoy and celebrate occasions properly. 

Time restrictions will be in place, late-night fireworks on occasions other than New Years will not be allowed. 9:00 P.M. should be the latest for any firework that causes any level of noise on regular days, this can be set in stone by county basis as well with a set-in-stone state-wide restriction. 

This type of law exercise has been done in Japan and has been successful. Establishing a system not only based on law but respectfulness can be executed properly in California and I'm sure all our wonderful citizens of this state will be willing to comply with such regulations. If they set off fireworks any time that is late they should be charged with violation of local or local and state firework time laws.

Our neighboring state Nevada legally has firework stores that sell all levels of consumer grade fireworks and have dedicated safety zones where fireworks can be shot off and they have been a success. Same for many other states such as Washington and South Carolina.

None of this should be set in stone if such laws are accepted, regulation decisions must be deeply discussed to figure out the most proper execution of consumer grade firework legalization on a state, county, and city based regulation system where time restrictions and firework type restrictions will need to be put into place.

Here is a general list of safety precautions and regulations that should be enforced:

- You must be 18 years or older to purchase and use fireworks.

- A fire extinguisher must always be readily accessible when using fireworks.

- Certain firework restrictions may need to be put into place. For example, if you live in a suburb that has hazards such as trees, powerlines, buildings, homes, shrub, etc., you should not be setting off fireworks that need more space (larger mortars, helicopters/aerial spinners, zipper cakes, 500g cakes, missiles, larger rockets, or anything that will move in the air and travel significant distance or can move in the directions of any hazards they should not be used). If fireworks are to be used in a city residential area they should not go in the air at all, and it should be limited to safe and sane fireworks and consumer grade firecrackers only unless there are safety zones mandated by the city. If you live in a rural area as long as you are a safe distance from hazards such as buildings, homes, powerlines, shrub, and anything that is flammable or could damaged by fireworks all forms of consumer fireworks should be permitted for usage.

-  Weather conditions apply to firework regulation. Fireworks should never be used in windy or gusty weather.

- Violations of city, county, and state regulations will result in city and state mandated fees or charges.

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Benefits of legalization of Fireworks in California:

This will create a huge economic growth for California if fireworks are legalized and will help the economy furthermore especially with the recession as result of the pandemic. It will create more jobs as well for those who have lost them and it does not require previous experience to work at a firework store as training will only take a day.

Firework stands that are only around for Independence Day tend to have a profit of over $50,000 after purchasing from wholesale for $8,000. Combine that with multiple stores throughout the states having stores that can carry multiple more times the amount of fireworks that a tent typically has, this will yield millions dollars and will heavily stimulate the economy. There will also be economic stimulation through construction, making safety-zones, and taxes.