Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks

Posted at 2:32 PM on February 10, 2011 by Bob Collins (8 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

You asked for it, Wisconsin. You with your "we're open for business signs" on the state border, aimed at our businesses and all.

Several Minnesota Republican lawmakers today filed a bill in the House of Representatives to make fireworks legal in Minnesota, a market currently pretty much owned by businesses in Wisconsin, where the sale of fireworks is legal.

The bill would change the definition of fireworks to that used by the American Pyrotechnic Association. When Minnesota allowed the sale of "fireworks" starting in 2002, it limited the definition to sparklers and a few "pop" toys that were little more than cute. Things that shot into the air? Not in our state, at least not legally in our state.

But Minnesotans, as evidenced by the license plates in the stores in Wisconsin, want the big artillery.

If approved, this certainly serves as a shot across Wisconsin's bow. In Wisconsin, residents aren't allowed to purchase fireworks without a permit, even though they can be sold to residents from Minnesota and other states without one.

Wisconsinites would have to come to Minnesota to get them.

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Comments (8)

Are they packaging this as a "jobs bill" for emergency room staff and EMS workers? If not, they should. I suggest they call it "The Freedom From Fingers Act."

Glad to see the MN GOP has not lost its laser-like focus on the budget and the economy.

Posted by Bob Moffitt | February 10, 2011 2:47 PM

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Where's the poll response for

* I can't believe that this is what they're working on.

Posted by bsimon | February 10, 2011 2:56 PM

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There's a fireworks ban in Minnesota?

You would never know it in my neighborhood for about a week before and weeks after the fourth of July.

Posted by John P. | February 10, 2011 2:59 PM

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I suggest they call it "The Freedom From Fingers Act."

I have to disagree, I think it should be called, "The Wanna-be Terrorist Facilitation Act."

Posted by JackU | February 10, 2011 3:11 PM

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If they legalize fireworks they'll definitely have to allow alcohol sales on Sunday. Everyone in WI knows that explosives and booze is an acceptable (possibly mandatory) combination.

Posted by andy | February 10, 2011 3:19 PM

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Does WI or ND have more ER visits due to firework injuries than MN? Would it even be meaningful to compare, since so many MN residents go to these states and bring the fireworks back?

Posted by ben | February 10, 2011 4:33 PM

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Sure, let em sell fireworks in Minnesota, but contingent on changing one of the lines of the national anthem to, "The bombast bursting in air".

Posted by Jim Shapiro | February 10, 2011 5:23 PM

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First it was selling booze on Sunday, now fireworks, what is happening here?

Are we becoming a cold Wisconsin?

Err... or a Wisconsin without cheese?

Or how about a Wisconsin with a losing football team?

Oh, whatever.....

Posted by GregS | February 11, 2011 6:03 AM

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