I'd suggest two sources.

1) Those seasonal fireworks wholesale places you see pop up in what look like garages around this time of year. They have to shift as much as possible in a short time frame so probably don't care who buys as long as they're paying.
2) Unfortunately I suspect parents often let their kids have fireworks or at least don't secure the ones they've purchased well enough.

 

I'd expect they are two of the most likely sources.

 

Everything can be reduced to that if we try hard enough. We can't just ban anything that is 'inherently dangerous'.

 

Well i have to tell you all something,i went to a backgarden fireworks display last night...
Just to add,i can't believe how **** sparklers are these days,they are like a wet fart,nothing like back when i was a kid.

 

I have enjoyed fireworks since I was a child and I still get a lot of "personal gratification" from watching them.

Les

 

I completely agree with the OP fireworks are a complete pain now.
I wouldn't mind if they were just used on one weekend before or after bonfire night and the night itself if midweek but its getting stupid they have been going off for the last two weeks and it probably won't stop until early January now.

I've got a 4 month old baby and she keeps getting woken up at night by them and I've got a dog that I'm having to give tablets to every night just to keep her from,having a heart attack she's getting so stressed.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting banning fireworks, what they are saying is that they should be limited to public displays. To be honest, I find it hard to make a cogent argument against that!

 

If only there was a realistic solution to these getting into the wrong hands. I'm usually against banning/restricting sales too much, as I think it punishes the majority for the actions of the minority, but with fireworks, I am verging on agreeing with the argument to ban the public sale of them, and only have organised displays.

The problem with that, is firstly, as I have said above, it punishes everyone. If used safely, they are nice to watch. I like them (hate the noise though ) But maybe more importantly, 'the wrong types' would still get them somehow, much like drugs etc. Just because something is banned/not allowed to be sold in shops, doesn't solve the problem, all we'll have is some sort of black market for them.

Unless there was going to be some massive police operation to put loads more officers on the streets on the run up and including bonfire night to deter the little ****s spoiling what should be a bit fun, I can't see any solution to the problems. Just banning alone wouldn't do anything, as those that wanted them would get them, and the damage could be done way before they got caught.

Personally, I would ban their sale anywhere other than in supermarkets where they are under lock and key and there is already quite strict policy regarding ID. Maybe have a policy that if any children are found to have them in their possession under the age of 18, and without adult supervision, they will not only be confiscated but their parents could face a fine, perhaps that would encourage certain parents to keep a closer eye if they choose to buy fireworks.

I know people want to look back on the past fondly, and recall how much fun they had messing about, but like it or not, times have changed. For whatever reason, kids have less and less respect for other people and their property and obviously don't have much sense in how to look after themselves. I hate to sound harsh, but I don't even care all that much if they want to risk hurting themselves, I do care if they hurt innocent people or their property.

 

We don't. It's a fairly new estate.
Our house was built 2.5 years ago.

 

There is no reason why people can't let off their own fireworks. It only takes a bit of common sense to remain safe. People have been doing that for many years with no really significant problems.

If the laws forbid us from doing anything for ourselves in case of injury etc. we shall all forget how to take care of ourselves and turn into a bunch of ignoramuses.

Les

 

Typical knee jerk reaction to a minority few misbehaving. As long as I don’t like it / want it then ban it – screw the rest of you! Fireworks are a british tradition that I loved as a child from selecting which ones to buy with my parents to sitting down and watching them at my grandparents house. Some of them were crummy but the act of setting them off yourself was always special compared to going to an organised event. As you got older you did some stupid things with them as I expect most of you did too but the same could be said for a lot of things.

We didn’t have one this year but a couple of years back all neighbours in our cul-de-sac chipped in to a kitty and one chap bought all the fireworks and each house provided some food & drink. One lot for the kids and then some louder stuff for the adults later on. One of the best street parties we have had and everyone loved it.

As with most things these days its more about those that have no respect for anything. Mostly kids out with their parents having no idea where & what they are up to. Yet people’s first reaction is ban it for every one.

Restricting usage to a few nights a year seems more sensible. Then you grouches can book a holiday away for that week or just invest in some earplugs

 

It's already happened

 

Apart from scaring the crap out of all wildlife and most household pets. But by all means carry on being a selfish arsehole

 

people need to have a bit more tolerance imo

you dont like fireworks, thats fine. dont use them.

let others who, do use them. its only a few nights per year afterall.

if there being used in an irresponisble/dangerous way that endagers others - then report it.

 

Jef, most people aren't just being grumpy and wanting to spoil fun. Those that are against general sale, are against that, mainly due to safety risks and the problems some cause to others/property.

It's all well and good saying report irresponsible behaviour, the problem is, how do you do that if you are sitting in your house minding your own business when one comes through the letter box, because it's just kids having 'fun', or when ones are being fired at traffic/people from footbridges (this happened to us) with no chance of catching those responsible? At the end of the day, people wanting to cause damage etc. aren't going to advertise the fact, so it's going to be difficult to report anything prior to an accident/damage being done.

As I've said, I'm not for banning their sale completely, but I don't think we can ignore that there is a problem, no doubt worse in some places than others and I don't think people that are concerned should be made to feel like they are just spoil sports.

 

+1

I went out on another run last night around 6pm. As per the last 7 days, one house in particular had them going off constant. So I thought I had have a nosey as to what was actually going on.
This particular part of our housing estate is away from the main road and is basically a cul de sac. I walked down the alley way and to my absolute horror, they had lined the fire works up where the alley way joins their road!

About 5 adults were out there with around 8 kids. No water, no thought of safety. Nothing. This continued for 3 hours.
These are the kind of problems the UK is facing when it comes to fireworks.
It only takes a few idiots to ruin it for everyone.

 

My two cats love fireworks and we all enjoyed the splendid display over the road on Saturday night.

Suggest you all get some less wussy pets and man up your children too

 

Thank you very much for your illuminating, oh so sensitive,and extremely childishly bad mannered post.

Anybody with the slightest bit of good sense makes sure that their pets are safely indoors during bonfire night. We certainly did and no signs of fear were displayed.

We live in the country and know from long experience that all wild life is also well ahead of the situation and will move away from any form of firework display. Bonfires are held away from centres of animal population of course.

No one would dream of trying to prevent you from passing comment on any subject but neverthless there are rules on this forum over how you address other members.

I would expect any Mod worth his salt might just have something to say with regard to your mode of address!

Incidentally I did not have anything to do with fireworks this time or even for some time in the past. I would not wish to spoil anyone else's enjoyment of an historic event of very long standing however.

Les

 

Oh Les relax.

You like fireworks yes? Well some people don't.

If a car pulled up outside your house with a boot full of sub-woofers and they decided to park up and turn the stereo up full blast because they liked it, would that be ok? No it wouldn't.

Personally, I see no difference with fireworks.
And please answer me this Les - If it is, as you say, to celebrate an historic event, why the hell is it celebrated a week before the night itself and more than likely, up to New Years Eve?

More to the point, what are we celebrating exactly?
That a religious nut job almost committed mass murder and we stopped him? And we do that buy setting off fireworks to mimic what would have happened if he had succeeded? Plus, to top the lot, we make lots dummies that look human, stick them on a pile of wood and set light to it?
What a great message for kids. 'If in doubt - burn the ******* alive!'

Wow, well done us.

I would have thought that the whole idea of bonfire night would go against the sort of person that you appear to be Les.
A decent bloke with not a bad word to say about anyone.

It is funny how we don't celebrate the D-Day landings in a similar fashion.

 

Car and loud music outside is a poor argument and notapplicable in this instance really is it...

The night is about celebrating catching Guido not his potential act

 

It's not about selling loads of fireworks and making loads of money?

 

Name me a major holiday/celebration that hasn't been turned into a commercial event in this country

 

Ramadan.

 

Hardly a good justification though is?

 

Haha good answer and one I dont think i can reposte without sounding like a bigot

 

I'm not justifying it I'm playing devils advocate, I believe people should be free to make thier own decisions and I hate the ban it culture.

The free (?) market and capitalist country we live in will always mean someone will seek to profit from holidays/celebrations no matter what they are

 

i respect your veiw, its just that it doesnt reflect my experiences thats all.

i live and have lived in council estates all my life, that many would consider a "rough area", and im a touch over 30, *cough cough* but never have i had a a firework come through my letter box or thrown/fired at people. yes ive heard about it, but in real life its not what ive seen - and some people talk nonsense.

again its down to respect really - if the kids/parents have it, then there should be no problem if they dont then yes it may become an issue. But like i say it seems an minority issue thereofre shouldnt be imposed on people who use them in as respectful a manner as possible.

you cant really use isolated minority incidents as a basis for argument for the entire population - although id still argeu that people should report/address any issues they do come across.

what you think?

 

just to add, as i often do lol. some kids just get caught up and make mistakes ect. its part of being a child. i belvie often if the child is shown the severity of the impact things like fireworks can have then there behaviour would change hence my support of shock tactics.

its likely all but a few will have a conscience, and be remorseful of behaviour that results in injury to others. so to show them the impact before they carry out thoughtless acts may well prevent them from commiting them in the first place.

if adults play a role in any act it should be reported and measures taken to punish them. And people in the area made aware so they can take preventative measures untilt the issue is addressed.

but as a child when i first used fireworks, it was in a manner that didnt affect anyone and was a source of amusement and eductation that had no negative impact. it taught me lessons of danger, but also of chemistry and reactions without being a direct "education" source.

people may say thats nonsense, and it may be to them, but in all honesty it wasnt to us.

 

I admire your restraint.

 

As I said in my first post, I don't think the sale of fireworks should be banned anyway. All I have said, is it should be made more difficult for those wanting to cause problems to get hold of them. Sell them only under lock and key in supermarkets (or large stores) combined with harsh penalties in place for those acting irresponsibly/their parents. It wouldn't stop people having their own parties, it would just tighten things up a bit.

I fully agree that you can't use minority incidents to penalise the whole population, that is why I'm not personally calling for a full ban. To do that would not stop the wrong people getting them, and would just 'punish' the people perfectly capable of using them wisely. I just think making things a bit stricter wouldn't be a bad idea.

Ultimately, it comes down to respect as you have said, and unfortunately the lack of it shown by some people isn't going to be changed by throwing bans at everything. If only there was an easy solution to that.