Watch Out for 4th of July Fireworks

The 4th of July is a momentous holiday without a doubt. Every year, we celebrate American Independence fought for by our founding fathers. Some of them even started the tradition of using fireworks to celebrate the holiday. They did this to both celebrate our country and mock the use of fireworks to celebrate the British monarchy. While we don’t mock anyone now for the 4th of July, we still use fireworks, though illegally.

That’s right, this popular American holiday pastime is illegal for the most part. There are some ways in which people are allowed to use fireworks, but that hasn’t kept people from using fireworks that aren’t legal use. 

What’s Actually Legal

Only Class C fireworks or “consumer-grade” fireworks are legal for Pennsylvania residents to own and use. These include firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets, and anything else with less than 50 milligrams (mg) of explosive material. 

Even those have restrictions on where they can be set off. These fireworks cannot:

• Be set off on any public or private property without permission from the owner.
• Be set off inside a vehicle or building.
• Be set off towards a vehicle or building.
• Be set off within 150 feet of an occupied building.

Be careful when you set off fireworks, or else you’ll need to contact Kalinoski Law Offices for legal assistance.

What’s Not Legal

It’s not an understatement to say that every other kind of firework that isn’t less than 50 milligrams of explosives is illegal. Yet, as everyone who has experienced the 4th of July can tell you, there are people who use far more than 50 mg of explosives in their fireworks. 

Yes, there are state and town-sanctioned fireworks that exceed 50 mg. They are also done by licensed professionals in areas protected and overseen by law enforcement and government workers. The use of fireworks at official sanctioned events is not a defense as to why you should be able to. 

Be especially wary of damaging someone else’s property. That can only add another law that you’re breaking by launching fireworks. One of the reasons only sanctioned professionals can use more than 50 mg is because they have a venue that’s safely away from people’s personal property and buildings.

Call Kalinoski Law If You’re Caught Using Illegal Fireworks on the 4th of July

It’s not legal to launch them, but if you get caught doing so, contact a lawyer who can and will fight for your rights. Fireworks have become an American pastime and people are going to use them with and without knowing that they’re illegal.

Call Kalinoski Law Offices, the criminal defense lawyer who can defend you after the holiday cheer.

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