39 states and the District of Columbia permit consumer fireworks. That leaves 11 states that either ban fireworks completely, or allow only very non-fireworky “fireworks.” Ohio is one of those states. WEAK.
In Ohio, you are only permitted to have sparklers, trick noisemakers and novelty items that “smoke, sparkle, snap and snake” – you know, like those black snakey things that stain your sidewalk and those white things you throw on the ground that crack. Non-fireworky “fireworks.”
According to a press release from the Fire Marshall’s office, “Under Ohio’s fireworks law, stiff penalties can be applied for the illegal possession or discharge of fireworks. It is a first-degree misdemeanor for non-licensed individuals to discharge fireworks in Ohio, to falsify an application when purchasing fireworks, or to possess them for more than 48 hours without taking them out-of-state. First-time offenders are subject to up to a
$1,000 fine and six months imprisonment.”
So think before you start blowing stuff up. Though in my experience, this law is relaxed, if not entirely ignored, Fourth of July Weekend.
