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Ban Fireworks in NM!

It is absolutely incomprehensible to me why the sale of fireworks is allowed despite the extreme fire conditions in New Mexico. Rumor has it, the Socorro bosque fire was caused by fireworks (KOB TV). Why do these businesses have license to operate during our explosive conditions? What sort of lobby do they have?

Tags: Bosque, Forest Fires, Los Alamos, Veguita Fire

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Permalink Reply by Kenny on June 27, 2011 at 4:20pm

As a society we have decided that we can accept certain risks. We allow pedestrians to cross Central anywhere and anytime despite the dangers. We allow people to purchase and use firearms. We allow people to take a rather simple test to obtain a driver's license then give them a two-ton weapon and let them loose on our streets.

...and, yes, we allow people to light legal fireworks in order to celebrate our patriotism. It's pretty easy to limit what kinds we can light and where we can light them. Why do we have to call for an outright ban?

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Meaders on June 27, 2011 at 4:38pm

I don't think your argument holds up. Aren't we banning access to certain public lands because of the high fire danger? Don't we have an outright ban on certain drugs and sex transactions? And on advertising liquor and cigarettes on TV?

How patriotic is it to insist on using something so dangerous to everybody under these conditions?

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Permalink Reply by Kenny on June 27, 2011 at 4:53pm

We saw what happened when we tried to ban alcohol. That didn't work out too well.

As I said above, I've been lighting fireworks in my backyard for years. My neighbors have nothing to be afraid of. The danger is not widespread. Everyone who lights fireworks is not going to start a fire. That's the main reason to not have an outright ban.

Here in Bernalillo County, we have a pretty good compromise going. Now, maybe people could lobby for the same kind of limitations to be enacted statewide. That would solve the issue of anyone from Albuquerque driving out to Moriarity to buy illegal fireworks.

One one side we have calls for a total ban. On the other side we have people who want the freedom to light any kind of fireworks they want, including rockets that fly a 1/4 mile in the air and spew sparks the entire way. There has to be a compromise.

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Permalink Reply by Krista on June 27, 2011 at 4:52pm

I have never understood what was "patriotic" about fireworks. Aren't there better ways to celebrate? Like reflection?

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Permalink Reply by Meredith S. on June 27, 2011 at 5:06pm

Right on Krista!

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Permalink Reply by Kerry on June 28, 2011 at 9:07am

There may be better ways to celebrate patriotism, but that is a choice. Eliminating choices that you yourself don't personally find celebratory is not only unpatriotic, but it is anti-liberty.

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Permalink Reply by once banned twice shy on June 28, 2011 at 9:56am

Hmmm. Wonder if you'd feel the same way watching your house go up in flames after some liberty-loving asshat shot off illegal fireworks.

Because that's the problem. People are asshats. They run red lights. They yammer on their cellphones and text while driving--hell, they do EVERYTHING BUT drive when they are driving. And yes, they shoot off illegal fireworks by the bucket full. There are so many illegal fireworks that the fire department doesn't even try to go out and find the people shooting them off. But, if you banned fireworks sales in the state, it would be a lot harder/more expensive for people to get the illegal ones and easier to enforce--that is, as long as you could get the Pueblos to agree. But there, again, you get into asshat territory. I remember in...2003? we had a nasty drought similar to this one. Richardson did ban fireworks sales state-wide. But the governor of Pojoaque, thinking a fast buck was worth more than land and peoples' safety, announced that Pojoaque was open for fireworks business. So much for the ban on fireworks. I seem to recall, though, that the other Pueblos' governors peer-pressured him into changing his mind.