I'm not suggesting that my proposals would stop all antisocial behaviour regarding fireworks but it would probably reduce it, strong policing would also help. It would seen to be that some people think that by baning fireworks it would stop the problem but that not true. We have bans i.e. laws on tens of thousands of things but thoughts laws still get broken time and time again. I still don't see why the vast majority of people should be denied this pleasure just to stop a nimoraty of bad eggs. I say enforce the antisocial laws we have.

I don't think anyone was suggesting banning fireworks altogether - just sales of them to the general public and private displays. There would still be public displays, so people wouldn't be denied.

I recognise the argument but you seem to think that by baning the sale of fireworks the problem will disappear. We have banned the sale of flick-knifes, guns and drugs but there still out there in the wrong hands. I cant think of anything that we have banned the sale of that you cant still get on the street, so why do you think that this ban will work any better than thoughts?

My simple answer would be that by restricting fireworks to organised displays they would be safer and cheaper for the vast majority of the public to enjoy (and the display would be a lot better). Also, the entrance money could be used to support local charites (as in the case of our local event). This in no way gets rid of another tradition, rather it adds to the enjoyment of it. And if there are good local displays why should people feel the need to have their own?

There will always be those who will ignore the ban, but that's no reason not to try to address the noise and nuisance problem. Why should people (and wildlife) be subjected to night after night of firework displays?

Over the years I've noticed more and more people going to formal fireworks displays. I personally think that they are more enjoyable and entertaining than a home display and I think that the trend towards formal fireworks display will continue in the future. This of course would nullify most of your points for having a law. Maybe thats why there isn't a law, could it be that some clever-clogs in government has worked it out that in the long run virtually everyone will be going to displays in the future so why bother baning them at home, give freedom of choice I say. I know the idea of someone in government being clever is far-fetched but its humanly possible, just!

This post was last modified: 16-11-2007 10:25 AM by treetops.

One can only hope

I completely agree that formal displays are much more entertaining, the fireworks on display are of so much better quality than those available to the average person finanically that there isn't much point in having personal fire displays any more (in my opinion). I have been to personal fireworks displays and while the atmosphere is always lots of fun, the fireworks are always a let down compared to what we are all used to seeing at proper displays.

Slightly OT, I have known people here in my neighbourhood to spend over £500 on fireworks for the Independence Day celebration . No, it's not anything like the formal displays, but it seems that noise generation is key.

Kingfisher

Hi Kingfisher,
So are you saying that you would vote for baning all fireworks displays? That's what it sound like to me, our is it that you think we should only have silent fireworks?