Lawmaker wants to legalize certain fireworks; firefighters group opposed

With BC-CNS-Fireworks Bill-Box

Photo Available (thumbnail, caption below)

By DANIEL NEWHAUSER
Cronkite News Service

PHOENIX (Wednesday, Feb. 11) _ A state lawmaker says Arizonans are grown up enough to be able to light a sparkler without violating the law.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, has proposed a bill that would legalize certain types of fireworks that don’t shoot into the air or explode, including illuminating torches, ground spinners and toy smoke devices.

“I always like to poke in the eye those that have the nanny-state mentality,” Biggs said Wednesday to the House Commerce Committee, which endorsed HB 2258 on a 6-2 vote.

An organization representing firefighters wasn’t so hot on the idea, registering its opposition.

Neither was Herb Easley, a novelty shop owner who used to sell such fireworks when they were legal two decades ago. He sent an emissary to the Capitol to say why he doesn’t want them back.

“I know we could make money off of them,” Easley said later at Easley’s Fun Shop. “But sparklers are just plain dangerous.”

Mike Colletto, a lobbyist for the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona, told the committee that the devices are unsafe for kids and could ignite wildfires, a problem in Arizona’s dry climate.

“We teach children not to play with matches,” he said. “All these devices require the use of a match or lighting device.”

Rep. Rich Crandall, R-Mesa, interrupted Colletto to say that all states adjacent to Arizona have no such restrictions.

“Having used fireworks in most of the other Western states, I just don’t know that that’s a very strong argument,” Crandall said.

Reps. Robert Meza, D-Phoenix, and Olivia Cajero Bedford, D-Tucson, voted against the bill.

Explaining his vote, Meza said it didn’t take much to spawn catastrophic wildfires in Australia.

“The same could happen here very easily,” he said. “It’s just common sense. You are in the Southwest, you’re in the desert.”

Rep. Chad Campbell, D-Phoenix, was the only Democrat to vote for the bill, saying he’d support the measure on the floor if it adds a minimum age for purchasing the fireworks.

Mike Williams, a lobbyist for the United States Fireworks Safety Commission, said he has been trying to reverse the ban since the administration of Gov. Fife Symington in the 1990s. He said Symington and Gov. Jane Hull vetoed previous efforts.

Williams noted that the fireworks involved aren’t nearly as dangerous as those that would remain illegal, such as firecrackers, M-80s and Roman candles.

“Nothing we are advocating here explodes or shoots through the air,” he said.

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Web Links:
_ Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona: www.pffaz.org
_ Easley’s Fun Shop: www.easleys.com

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PHOTOS: Click thumbnails to see full-resolution images and download; caption information is in the file under File>File Info.

CAPTION FOR BC-CNS-FIREWORKS BILL: Carol and Herb Easley, owners of Easley’s Fun Shop, a Phoenix business specializing in party supplies and novelties, sent word to state lawmakers that they oppose a bill that would legalize certain types of fireworks, including sparklers, in Arizona. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, introduced legislation that won an endorsement Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, from the House Commerce Committee. The Easleys said they’d make money if the bill passes, but they think the fireworks would be unsafe. (Cronkite News Service Photo/Daniel Newhauser)