After several unsuccessful pieces of legislation and two vetoes from current Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state of New York has finally passed a bill that will legalize the sale and use of certain small fireworks including bottle sparklers. For the most part, this new law is being met with a lot of celebration and optimism. However, it is certainly not without its opponents. Not everyone wants bottle sparklers in New York City or State. That’s why this law was so difficult to pass in the first place. And no doubt it will have a lot of restrictions and red tape surrounding its implementation.
Why They Were Outlawed
The biggest slice that was taken out of the law during its inception is the city of New York itself. The law specifically excludes the use or sale of fireworks within the city. The vast majority of families and businesses in the state are still subject to cold war era restrictions and fears that somehow it is easier to build destructive items out of sparklers and consumer grade fireworks than the raw materials themselves that are readily available at any sporting goods store. However, with the history that New York City has in recent decades; you can hardly blame them.
Since then, the only thin you could use legally were LED bottle sparklers. Though they are better than nothing, they just don’t pack the same punch. However, the wait will be over soon!
How Bottle Sparklers in New York City is Possible
The law will allow New York residents outside of the main city to buy and use small fireworks. But only from June 1 through July 5 and from Dec. 26 through Jan. 2, respectively. This means that at least some New York families will be able to enjoy the great American pastimes like using sparklers on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve. That’s at least a step in the right direction. However, since each municipality will need to adopt the law independently, hopeful citizens should not expect to be able to buy sparklers for their upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration. However, you should definitely be hopeful for the 4th of July a few months out. You may even be able to get some heart shaped sparklers for that upcoming wedding that you have in late spring.
The Upside
On a more positive note, this does mean that businesses throughout the state will soon be able to enjoy the same marketing tactics and freedoms that bars and nightclubs in other areas of our country have enjoyed for decades. That is the ability to use bottle sparklers in New York nightclubs and bars. Cities like Rochester, Buffalo, and other population centers will soon be selling sparklers for both consumer and business use. That’s really great news for the economy at large. Venues will be ordering wholesale bottle sparklers in no time, and the die shall be cast.
The bottom line is that even though the law is still very restrictive. It only allows sparklers during certain times of the year and in certain areas. But hey, it is still better than nothing. Historically, fireworks laws only get less strict with time; so I feel confident that they will be completely legal sooner than later. Until then we should just try to enjoy what we are given. Let’s be thankful that using bottle sparklers in New York legally will soon be a reality that we can enjoy.
