Iowa lawmakers consider legalizing fireworks

DES MOINES - More fireworks would be legal for use by Iowans under a proposal being considered by state lawmakers.

Bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial spinners and many other types of consumer-grade fireworks would be legal under legislation that passed an Iowa Senate committee Wednesday.

Under current state law, nearly all consumer fireworks are illegal to use, although possession is not prohibited.

'Today, we have, in my view, a head-in-the-sand law. ‘You can possess all the fireworks you want, but don't use them. Nod, nod, wink, wink, '” said Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, chairman of the Senate State Government Committee. 'Ultimately, I hope that we can adopt a fireworks policy in Iowa that's limited, responsible and thoughtful.”

Representatives of a multitude of public health entities - hospitals, emergency services, specialist physicians - expressed their opposition to the proposal, citing public safety.

'Physicians continue to see a number of individuals who are coming in losing fingers and thumbs and eyes,” said Dennis Tibben, a lobbyist for the Iowa Medical Society. 'We believe that the current policy is appropriate.”

Sen. Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa, who sits on the State Government Committee, countered that there are any number of products and activities that can be dangerous but are not banned.

'When we talk about banning any kind of behavior, whether it be sports because we don't want them to get concussions or guns because we don't want them to get injured using those instruments or driving vehicles, there's all sorts of danger out there,” Bowman said. 'So I'm trying to wrap my head around what's in the best interest of Iowa.”

Supporters of the proposal said it will provide revenue to the state because many Iowans now travel to border states Wisconsin and Missouri where more powerful fireworks are legal. Supporters also say the state could make displaying fireworks safer by providing education.

'If we want less (fireworks-related) injuries in this state, you legalize, and then you promote education,” said Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, another State Government Committee member.

The bill received unanimous support from a three-person subcommittee, then passed the full committee 10-4.

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, who supported the bill, said he plans to introduce an amendment that will delay the implementation by one year. Bertrand said that will give Iowa entrepreneurs sufficient time to establish stores that sell fireworks, and also provide more time to orchestrate a public education campaign on fireworks safety.

What would be legal

The following is a partial list of fireworks that would be legal to display in Iowa under a bill being considered by state lawmakers:

' Firecrackers

' Helicopters and aerial spinners

' Roman candles

' Sky rockets and bottle rockets

' Cone and cylindrical fountains

' Ground and hand-held sparkling devices

' Ground spinners

' Toy smoke devices