An effort to expand fireworks in Minnesota may have ended this year with a veto by Gov. Mark Dayton, but it’s likely to return next year, according to International Falls Fire Chief Jerry Jensen.
And Jensen said he will again join others who oppose the idea in a fight to keep the state from allowing the sale of aerial fireworks and other devices with a louder bang than the novelty fireworks now allowed in Minnesota.
Ten years ago, Minnesota lifted its all-out ban on consumer fireworks with a law permitting novelty fireworks such as glow worms and sparklers.
“The lobbyists have already said they will bring this back to the (Legislature’s) table next year,” said Jensen this week.
Proponents of the expansion argued that the state is missing out on revenue when Minnesotans travel to adjoining states to purchase the fireworks illegal in Minnesota. And, they say, Minnesota’s prohibition doesn’t keep them out of the state.
"I’m beyond disappointed. I’m very irritated actually. I did everything I could," said Republican Rep. John Kriesel, the bill's sponsor. "We’re going to punish the majority of the people in the state because there are a few idiots who can’t be responsible?"
But safety concerns voiced at St. Paul by Jensen and other fire chiefs and safety officials around the state helped sway Dayton to veto the bill that would have allowed for the fireworks expansion, the governor said.
The first-term Democrat admitted to being torn over the issue more than any bill he has received in the past two years. Dayton said the bill sponsors took pains to work with opponents, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to get the governor to sign the bill.
"Much as I would like to reward their efforts and to satisfy the many Minnesotans who want greater latitude to buy and use fireworks legally in our state, I cannot do so," Dayton wrote. "Most Minnesotans are responsible enough to ignite and explode those inherently dangerous devices properly and safely. Unfortunately, some are not."
Jensen said he was pleased by the veto, and said he’s concerned that expanding allowed fireworks in the state would lead to additional injuries and fires.
“Responsible people will do it right, but there are a lot of irresponsible people that won’t,” Jensen said.
He said that many parties held in Borderland on the Fourth of July involve a dangerous combination fireworks and alcohol.
In addition, he said parents may not be aware of the potential for injury when they hand their children fireworks “and say go out and play.”
While Jensen said he doesn’t recall many serious accidents occurring since he has been in the “fire business,” he said as a youngster growing up in International Falls there were very serious accidents involving fireworks.
For example, he said throwing a firecrackers at someone as a joke could result in loss of fingers and sight, which would impact someone for the rest of their life.
In his veto letter, Dayton cited data showing a rise in fireworks-related injuries and property damage since the non-aerial and smaller bang fireworks were allowed in 2002. The data showed the average injuries per year doubled and property damage jumped dramatically.
Bill sponsors included language allowing cities to impose local restrictions and to narrow the window for buying and using the fireworks to five weeks around the Fourth of July holiday.
The Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology was among the groups that submitted letters to the governor urging him to strike the bill down.
"Fireworks are by their nature dangerous instruments involving explosions, accelerants and projectiles that have the potential to cause devastating injuries to face and eyes," the group said. "Please VETO the recently passed legislation."
Dayton announced he did just that about 90 minutes before his clock for acting expired.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
