Pa.’s fireworks law is a joke. At least 1 local lawmaker is trying to change it. | Letter - lehighvalleylive.com
Kudos to state Sen. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe/Northampton, for proposing badly needed modifications to Act 43 of 2017, which made legal the use of aerial fireworks across the state of Pennsylvania. It is clear when looking at Act 43 that no thought whatsoever was put into protecting neighboring properties to sites of launch.
Legislators appear only to have been concerned about raising sales tax revenue – a paltry $12 million a year. In 2015, state Sen. Elder Vogel proposed legalizing the sale and use of fireworks in Pennsylvania, calling it “common sense”. His district is home to two of the largest and oldest fireworks manufacturers in the country, Zambelli and Pyrotecnico, which may have factored into his judgment.
Legislators have stated that the reason the law was passed was that the industry (i.e. lobbyists) pressured them. There is no indication Pennsylvania citizens were pleading to set off fireworks, but our citizens are those negatively impacted by the law.
The only substantive regulation in the law is a virtually meaningless 150-foot setback from property lines, which offers no protection to neighbors from noise, injury or fire. Act 43 is anything but “common sense”. Public safety officials have called for its repeal, showing that significant changes are needed.
Thank you Sen. Scavello, for responding to the concerns of residents, municipal officials and emergency responders. Fireworks use is not a right protected in the state or federal constitution. Your proposed legislation is common sense and would provide peace of mind to all.
Don Moore
Plainfield Township
source: https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2022/01/pas-fireworks-law-is-a-joke-at-least-1-local-lawmaker-is-trying-to-change-it-letter.html
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