Ohio House Approves Bill to Legalize Fireworks

Fireworks occupy a divisive point of discussion in Ohio each summer: You can purchase them here, but you must transport them out of the state within 48 hours. The only items that are allowed to be used in Ohio are “trick and novelty” doodads, like sparklers and bang snaps.

Of course, as many next-door neighbors can attest, plenty of people ignore this law outright.

With a 77-12 this week, though, the Ohio House moved forward a bill that would fully legalize the use of fireworks in Ohio at all times and on any day of the week. This includes all your heavy hitters: the spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, Hüsker Düs, Hüsker don’ts, cherry bombs and nipsy dazers (with or without the scooter stick).

Using fireworks while drinking or taking drugs would be prohibited.

If the State Senate passes this bill — and if Gov. John Kasich signs it — fireworks would be fully legal by July 2020.

This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2017.