State Senator looks to reinstate ban on dangerous fireworks

A state Senator plans to introduce legislation this week that would reinstate the ban on Class C fireworks.

The sale of aerial and explosive fireworks became legal in 2011 when the Michigan Senate voted 37 to 1 to repeal the ban. The one dissenting vote was Senator Glenn Anderson. He’s a Democrat from downstate Westland.

Anderson now wants to bring back the ban that would make it illegal to sell Class C fireworks the day before, the day of or the day after a national holiday. He cites several complaints from constituents and safety as some of the motivating forces behind the legislation.

“People are so up in arms about not being able to peacefully enjoy their homes and the amount of problem things they have to pick up from the fireworks landing on their property,” Sen. Anderson said. “Even more so, they’re frightened about the fireworks, the fact that there are fires and there are serious, serious injuries.”

Allowing the sale of such fireworks was thought to bring in more than $10 million a year to the state, but that hasn’t been the case.

“It’s been less than $6 million over the last three years, so it hasn’t panned out,” Anderson said.

Negligent or untrained use of fireworks has led to fires and injuries, including meteorologist Dave Rexroth from downstate WXYZ-TV, who lost an eye in a fireworks accident less than two weeks ago.