http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/230095239

Sign the petition if you feel that fireworks should be banned from sale to the public.
I have no problem with professionally organised events but the amount of misery unconsiderate people cause to the general public by letting these things off at all hours is beyond a joke.

Some examples of problems:
Here (http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_833841.html?menu=)!
Here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3722&highlight=fireworks)!
Here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3965&highlight=fireworks)!
Here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4192&highlight=fireworks)!
Here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/kent/3197228.stm)!
And Here (http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/stories/Detail_LinkStory=71205.html)!
There is a lot more you just need to type Fireworks Vandalism into Google.


There's even a pre typed PDF letter here calling for action. (http://www.southlawne28.freeserve.co.uk/lettertoMP.pdf)

This has gone far enough now and I do believe that banning them all together (even though n underground market may emerge.. there's one already) will stop the majority of the problem.

Make em come under the fire arms act with punishment minimum 5 years for illegal ownership and use.

Ban them. They're no longer a bit of fun, they are powerful weapons. It is very much a case of the minority spoiling it for the majority again.

To an extent I agree. Fireworks aught to be sold exclusivley to organisations, (if they can afford the insurance). As I have stated I would like it to be made an offence to use them before the 5th.

I would add...I would not make myself responsible for depriving today's kids that which I enjoyed as a youngster. :P

that nick mergerison bloke on the 'hallam fm phone in' had this topic last week and has started a one man campaign against the sale of fireworks in south yorkshire. good on him.

Sorry DB but can't vote for a ban on all fireworks.


Yes I think that the explosives that are on sale should be banned and fireworks should only be on sale for say a week at the most before Nov 5th.

For most people firework night is enjoyable, harmless fun. Don't deprive our children of a few fireworks in the back garden because of the mindless yobs.

Fireworks are fun, yes. But plain bangers and fireworks designed to just "bang" and nothing else are.

However, bangs or flashes of light, both are still upsetting for animals and t*ats can still fasten them to cats and dogs tails.

From next year, devices louder than 120 decibels - roughly the same volume as a jet aircraft taking off - will be banned from sale.

And anyone caught letting off fireworks in a public place after 11pm could be arrested and fined.

Other measures are expected to include:
- Restricting the sale of fireworks to a three week period ahead of 5 November and a short period over New Year

- Licensing retailers who sell fireworks - and allowing local authorities to refuse or revoke such licences

- Compulsory training for firework display operators

- Making the possession of fireworks by under 18s a criminal offenceThe government is expected shortly to outlaw "air bombs", roman candle-style tubes that send a single loud explosion into the air and which are currently subject to a voluntary ban by the industry.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3237225.stm

Originally posted by Mo
Sorry DB but can't vote for a ban on all fireworks.

I can and have...by signing the petition.
I've also enlisted lots of others to do the same.

I'm not depriving children of the fun of fireworks... they can see them at organised events!

Erm no - why should we ban them just because some idiots go to far? Should we stop people from buying knives as they might stab someone, stop people buying fertilizer in case they want to make a bomb with it?!?!?! Even a bag of flour can be used as a powerful explosive! Fireworks have been around for years without too much trouble, hopefully they'll be around for a hell of a lot longer.

Because those idiots go too far!
Is it not good enough for you to watch fireworks at an organised event?

I think it is. And cheaper!

They should start by making the cheapest firework you can buy £100. That way only organised events can afford to buy em. And these kids that are killing innocent animals, blowing up cars and putting fireworks through the doors of the elderly and frail wont be able to enkoy there sick pass times.

Honestly it's a reasonable suggestion. Safety first! Fireworks are just explosives at the end of the day!

Yeah but like I said if a kid wants to make a bomb out of a bag of flour it only takes 2 minutes so should we ban that from general sale to the public????!

As for going to a show to watch them - no that's not good enough, I want to be able to put on my own firework show on for the younger members of our family.

I dont know how to make a bomb out of flour... I doubt a kid would.

And if it's not good enough for you, then please come up with a solution to this spiralling problem we have. Because it's only going to get worse.

How about restricting the sale of them to say over 26

In Oz they only have organised displays - fireworks are banned.

This is great but in OZ the local councils/governments can be arsed to organise decent events without ripping off your arms and legs to go and see the damned event.

I cannot be bothered to go to these organised events for one main reason - there are only so many loans a person can take out in order to feed their families at these events.
How much for a cup of tea????

it is great to be able to go out to a decent show and buy the family some hot grub and stand gawping up the sky going
'oooooooooooo', 'aahhhhhhhhhhhh'

ho hum - I am going to a friends do tomorrow night cos I have been invited - all my fun on bonfire night went when the council put a stop to community bonfires *sniff*

Moon

Banned in Ireland too. Fireworks serve no useful purpose whatsoever.

Thankyou... shows I have some support!

NO BAN ... Fireworks are fun !!! ... however ...

I do think there should be more legislation regulating types of firework available to the public and also when they can be bought.

But then ... I am sure profit comes before peoples saftey ... that's the society we live in !!

Originally posted by fnkysknky
Erm no - why should we ban them just because some idiots go to far? Should we stop people from buying knives as they might stab someone, stop people buying fertilizer in case they want to make a bomb with it?!?!?! Even a bag of flour can be used as a powerful explosive! Fireworks have been around for years without too much trouble, hopefully they'll be around for a hell of a lot longer.
I haven't heard of any problems with kids making home made explosives with flour or fertilizer so we probably don't need to ban them.

Fireworks available to the general public are far bigger, louder and more dangerous nowadays and as such the problems and risks they pose (in the wrong hands) have reached a point where legislation is required. I'm not sure about an out-right ban but it would be far better than the present situation.

I agree with the increased controls but don't see why we should have a full ban :)

Flour is for making bread and cakes, fertiliser is for fertilising plants. Fireworks are for making bangs, flashes and nothing else. They have no useful purpose whatsoever.

is entertainment not useful then? Maybe we should ban tv and football and everything else that is fun too. If they amuse the kids for an evening then I think they are very useful.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
is entertainment not useful then? Maybe we should ban tv and football and everything else that is fun too. If they amuse the kids for an evening then I think they are very useful.
Because there is a serious epidemic of people throwing TV at other people? Blowing them up? Killing animals with footballs?

You can't compare the two.

Fox hunting is also entertainment for some, should we not ban that either?

Wait a minute in asain countries, they tie up bears, remove there claws and teeth then set four or five pit bulls on them to rip em apart in the name of entertainment, should that not be banned too?

So why can't we just put better controls on fireworks?? Like a ban would make any difference anyway - there's thousands of illegal fireworks sold in this country each year, that would just increase. In fact knowing kids it would only encourage them...

Originally posted by fnkysknky
Yeah but like I said if a kid wants to make a bomb out of a bag of flour it only takes 2 minutes so should we ban that from general sale to the public????!

As for going to a show to watch them - no that's not good enough, I want to be able to put on my own firework show on for the younger members of our family.
The moment youths start blowing up telephone boxes with bags of flour we will consider age restriction on purchasing flour. Until such a time we can assume that flour is not routinely used as an explosive in vandalism.

Do you put on airshows for your kids too? (the organised kind being not good enough)

Moon Maiden, where did you get that quote in your sig? It's wholly wrong about the Romans you know - There's no way a single city state could have controlled half of Europe using force alone.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
Do you put on airshows for your kids too? (the organised kind being not good enough)

Nope but funnily enough my dad did for me when I was a nipper - that's the bonus of having a pilot for a father :P (although I hate the guy now).

Some people don't want to go out anywhere else on bonfire night. If you have a few kids, once you've paid for the sparklers, refreshments, entry fee to display (if there is one) then it would have probably worked out cheaper to have your own display. People should have the choice. I'm big enough and ugly enough to decide if I want to set a rocket off in my own back garden.

Anyway just seen this which I totally agree with

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-12918021,00.html