Should fireworks be banned

[Andrew[MG]]

Crazy UK laws at their best, carrying pepper spray is classed as a firearms offence and yet kids can carry explosives around the street with no fear of the consequences. I wonder how much it costs the emergency services each year so we can celebrate this non event?

Change the law so only professionals with a license can use fireworks.....

[anonymous-user]

I voted yes.

I don't mind a big organised display, on 5th November itself.

But kids and big kids annoying the life out of their neighbours for weeks before and after the 5th November, it gets a bit tiring after a while.

[Terzo123]

Andrew[MG] said:

Crazy UK laws at their best, carrying pepper spray is classed as a firearms offence and yet kids can carry explosives around the street with no fear of the consequences. I wonder how much it costs the emergency services each year so we can celebrate this non event?

Change the law so only professionals with a license can use fireworks.....

Persons under 18 are not allowed to purchase fireworks, or carry them in public.

[Hollowpockets]

No, if you go down that road you should also ban cars, far more deaths caused by cars than fireworks...

[AmiableChimp]

I have driven a few bangers in my time

I'm here all week, try the veal...

[Andrew[MG]]

Hollowpockets said:

No, if you go down that road you should also ban cars, far more deaths caused by cars than fireworks...

How is that even nearly similar? We're not allows to carry guns, pepper spray, knives and yet we can carry around explosives and let them off in parks and gardens.

I appreciate that some people have good, honest, safe fun with them but a lot of people are also terrorised for weeks on end at this time of year.

[bigblock]

Andrew[MG] said:

Crazy UK laws at their best, carrying pepper spray is classed as a firearms offence and yet kids can carry explosives around the street with no fear of the consequences. I wonder how much it costs the emergency services each year so we can celebrate this non event?

Change the law so only professionals with a license can use fireworks.....

I live in the country. Each year I buy a selection of "display in a box" fireworks, we build a bonfire and invite the neighbours round for a barbeque and a few glasses of wine. We all have a pleasant evening.

What you are proposing would make this illegal or very expensive. Why penalise the responsible majority for the actions of the iresponsible minority.

[anonymous-user]

bigblock said:

I live in the country. Each year I buy a selection of "display in a box" fireworks, we build a bonfire and invite the neighbours round for a barbeque and a few glasses of wine. We all have a pleasant evening.

That sounds very civilised, I for one have no issue with people doing that on bonfire night/the weekend of, it's the constant evenings of fireworks being let off for weeks on end that's unacceptable IMO.

I'd compare it to you/I/your neighbour having a party with loud music until the early hours, once in a while is normal behaviour - imagine your neighbour has a party with loud music every night for 3 or 4 weeks, it'd drive you to despair.

[Rockatansky]

I'm generally against banning things, there is usually sufficient legislation to deal with a problem - it's just that it isn't being enforced.

I don't think I'll ever grow out of enjoying playing with fire/fireworks/explosives, I'm a big kid. That said, I do find it a bit more annoying than I used to as I'm morphing into a grumpy old git.

I'm not sure what (if anything) has changed over the last couple of years, but the window of firework activity either side of Nov 5th has narrowed considerably in my experience. I don't think I've heard a single one yet so far.

[aka_kerrly]

A few of my neighbours have been setting fireworks off for the last couple of weeks now and I don't have an issue but neighbours of mine who have pets are getting very annoyed.

If it wasn't for supermarkets selling fireworks for a good month or so prior to bonfire night it wouldn't be so bad.

[M888SXY]

I voted yes for two reasons:

1. It now goes on from a couple of weeks before until a couple of weeks after, rather than a day or two.
2. Scares the cr*p out of my dog for weeks rather than a couple of days.

[Ug_lee]

No from me.

Been to lots/hosted family bonfires with small fireworks and to stop this kind of activity for the few fools letting them off either side of bonfire night would be an over reaction.

Anyone under the age of 18 found in possession of fireworks should be lifted/warned/processed and left to find their own way home. Eventually the kids will realise it's not worth the hassle.
Also shopkeepers have a responsibility to not sell to under 18's. This needs more thorough enforcement through secret shoppers etc.

I live close to a pretty rough area and haven't seen a single firework go up yet. I remember 20 years ago it was worse than it is now. Probably cost been a major factor, who knows.

[thinfourth2]

Problem

Idiot with air rifle causing hassle

Solution

Ban air rifles



Problem

Idiot getting pissed in public and causing hassle

Solution

Ban drinking in public



Problem

Idiot with fire works causing hassle

Solution

Ban fire works






Why can't we ban idiots

[onlynik]

Should be banned, why anyone would want to watch a piddly little home firework display is beyond me.

Watch an offical one or pay some professionals to do it.

[johnycarrera]

No!

More fireworks please. I enjoy them (and most other dangerous/beautiful things).
There are fewer and fewer nuisance calls every year now as the retailers are more responsible and the Woodies are hammering the naughty weans!

Roll on November the 5th Yippee

[VetteG]

Andrew[MG] said:

How is that even nearly similar? We're not allows to carry guns, pepper spray, knives and yet we can carry around explosives and let them off in parks and gardens.

I appreciate that some people have good, honest, safe fun with them but a lot of people are also terrorised for weeks on end at this time of year.

You can carry guns if you are licenced to do so, you can carry a knife if you have good reason to do so!
Banning fireworks would be as affective as banning handguns after the Dunblane tradgedy!

G

[Andrew[MG]]

VetteG said:

You can carry guns if you are licenced to do so, you can carry a knife if you have good reason to do so!
Banning fireworks would be as affective as banning handguns after the Dunblane tradgedy!

G

How would that be the same? Fireworks are sold in supermarkets and corner shops. Are you suggesting that guns are so freely available?

People who want a gun in Scotland will easily be able to get hold of one if they go through the dodgy channels available, fireworks are advertised in shop windows, it's really not the same.

How about a compromise? A handful of licensed vendors in each area for people who really want to get fireworks?

[Rockatansky]

Andrew[MG] said:

How would that be the same?

By rolling out poor legislation that is completely unnecessary.

If existing legislation were enforced then there would be no problem.

As it stands (and as I stated earlier) I think things have actually improved in recent years. JC alludes to this in his post too, and I'd imagine that he has a little more insight than most (albeit the wooly suit days are behind him).

I would imagine that the way you feel is the result of a complex mixture comprising (in no particular order) your advancing years, the area you live in, whether you have pets, the changes in policing from the mid 60's to date, the decline of western civilisation in general.

Alternatively, nothing much changes - any old Oor Wullie / Broons book will probably show that the dynamic between kids and adults has aye been the same

[amccan10]

I'm starting a new vote, we take it in turns to let fireworks off down Andys street ;-)

[VetteG]

Rockatansky said:

By rolling out poor legislation that is completely unnecessary.

If existing legislation were enforced then there would be no problem.

As it stands (and as I stated earlier) I think things have actually improved in recent years. JC alludes to this in his post too, and I'd imagine that he has a little more insight than most (albeit the wooly suit days are behind him).

I would imagine that the way you feel is the result of a complex mixture comprising (in no particular order) your advancing years, the area you live in, whether you have pets, the changes in policing from the mid 60's to date, the decline of western civilisation in general.

Alternatively, nothing much changes - any old Oor Wullie / Broons book will probably show that the dynamic between kids and adults has aye been the same

My point exactly and probably better put.

G