New York Legalizes Some Fireworks

The New York Legislature has passed a convoluted bill allowing the legalization of some types of fireworks. However, in order for the sale of these fireworks to be allowed, each County must specifically pass an enabling resolution. No plans to do so in Schoharie County have been announced.

New York was one of four states to disallow the sale of fireworks. The new section 405 of the NYS Penal Law now allows the sale of "ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke."

The new state statute allow severely restricts the periods that fireworks are sellable. The law only allows sales between June 1st and July 5th and December 26th through January 2nd. All other periods would remain illegal.

Furthermore, most types of fireworks still allowed in most other states will remain illegal here. The NYS Division of Homeland Security site reads, "All other types of consumer fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, remain illegal statewide."