Work it: the rulebook to firing it up

Every summer, fireworks can be heard booming almost every night culminating in the big explosion that makes up Independence Day.

While the goal in mind for everyone is to have a good time, it’s also important to know the laws for fireworks usage in the state of Indiana, and in the local community.
Steve Porter, owner of Steve’s Fireworks in Bloomington, has been around long enough to see many changes in the laws.

“They have changed a lot,” Porter, who has owned Steve’s Fireworks for 20 years, said.

“People used to have to sign a purchaser’s agreement that said you were to take the fireworks out of the state within five days.”

Porter said eventually more was added to the law. All aerial fireworks were banned in Indiana. At one time, people had to buy a $2 license from the Indiana Fireworks Users Association to purchase fireworks.

The most recent change to the fireworks law was a bill that took effect on June 1, 2006 signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels. This law removed the $2 fee, and got rid of the form that required buyers to agree to take the fireworks out of the state or to a legal in-state site for detonation.

“It was a big joke,” Porter said. “Everybody knew people weren’t taking them out of state.”

With the new law, consumers are allowed to use them on their private property.
Under this law, a 5 percent safety tax is added for all fireworks along with the 7 percent sales tax, for a total of 12 percent in taxes and fees. All Class C fireworks (common fireworks) became legal every day in Indiana, except for city ordinances. M-80s and cherry bombs are not classified under Class C, and thus are still illegal.
Another change under the most-recent law states that buyers must be at least 18 years old to purchase most fireworks.

“We ask for ID,” Porter said. “It’s the same as if somebody went into a bar and they were only 19.”

John McGuire, co-owner of Campus Costumes, said the old laws have not had an effect on the selling of fireworks, but he promotes safety to his customers.
“Most accidents happen when they don’t know what (the firework) is going to do,” McGuire said.

McGuire said that he started selling fireworks at the costume shop to help boost summer sales since most college students go home for the summer. College students make up around 30 percent of their fireworks sales, he said. And although unaffected by the old laws, he didn’t agree with them.

“It didn’t make sense,” he said. “I think they understood that it was a little ridiculous, so they decided to tax and legalize it.”

Though only in his third year of selling fireworks, McGuire said the law seemed to be working. Porter has sold fireworks for 31 years, but is celebrating his 20th year operating his own store. After this year, he is turning over his business to a friend.
Ever-changing laws can be hard on businesses and consumers alike. Porter’s daughter, Samantha Porter, has worked with her dad selling fireworks since she was 4 years old. She believes the changing laws take a toll on businesses.

“I think it’s harder on the businesses,” the 26-year-old said. “It takes more time and staff, which takes more money.”

Though Class C fireworks are now legal for anyone 18 or older in Indiana, McGuire reminds customers that there are still some restrictions.

“People think they can shoot off fireworks anytime, but there’s still ordinances in the city,” he said.

Fireworks can be shot anytime until 11 p.m. except for the Fourth of July, where residents have until midnight, Porter said.

This year’s Independence Day will be the third since the law has taken effect.
Porter said he’s seen a number of changes with fireworks laws over the years. He noted that there are still many requests for illegal fireworks.

“People still come in and ask for M-80s and cherry bombs,” he said. “That stuff is highly illegal – people were getting fingers blown off.”