43
Ohio Senate passes fireworks bill
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Four-year-old Michael Shannon was nearly a half a football field away, watching a family reunion fireworks display, when a Patriot Missile Launcher fell over, firing directly into a crowd of spectators.
The youngster, standing between his father’s legs at the time, was hit in the head and died the next day.
On Tuesday, his mom and sister were at the Ohio Statehouse, urging lawmakers to refrain from legalizing the use of the types of fireworks that killed their son and brother.
“We’re here to tell our story about my brother who was killed by a firework that was bought in Ohio and shot off in Kentucky,” said Stephanie Shannon, Michael’s sister, recounting the 1991 incident. “We’re going to try to explain that the same kind of missiles that were shot off that are going to be potentially sold today with this bill are the ones that killed my brother and raise awareness of how dangerous fireworks really are.”
Shannon was among those who provided testimony to lawmakers in opposition to legislation that would legalize the use of consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio.
Their testimony didn’t have the desired impact: The Ohio Senate passed the bill Tuesday night, 21-7, and the Ohio House was poised to follow suit on its own fireworks law changes.
Roman candles, bottle rockets and other fireworks can be purchased in Ohio by anyone 18 or older, but they cannot be used in the state. Instead, they must be taken over the state’s borders within 48 hours of purchase.
The illegal possession or discharge of such fireworks can result in fines and jail sentences. Novelties, including sparklers, snakes, smoke bombs and snaps, are legal for backyard use.
SB 386 would eliminate the requirement that consumer-grade fireworks be taken outside of the state within two days of purchase and would allow buyers to “discharge, ignite or explode” such fireworks.
Age restrictions would remain in place for the purchase of fireworks, and sellers would be required to provide safety glasses and a safety pamphlet prepared by the state fire marshal to customers.
The legislation also would institute a new 4 percent fee on fireworks purchases, with the proceeds directed to the state fire marshal for training and enforcement efforts.