Should fireworks be banned from public sale.

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54 posts

Master Geek
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#1168144 4-Nov-2014 07:44

This year was the first year as a parent letting off fireworks (since watching them as a child in the back yard.
I thought I took all the precautions, Told the neighbors so they could have animals in etc, had a bucket of water for used fireworks, a hose to wet down just used fireworks and dud fires etc.
And even with all that preparation I couldn't stop no doubt hot debris dropping on to my neighbors roofs, something I will admit I didn't think of and something I wasn't happy about.
I used them safely in a large area but the debris still traveled as I could hear it "tinking" off their roofs.

I'm in two minds about a ban but I do think urban areas are to small and prone to easily lit although innocent fires.
I for one won't be buying them next year out of courtesy to my neighbors and will just go and watch a much more professional and lager public display.

meesham

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Ultimate Geek
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#1168168 4-Nov-2014 08:15

dickytim: Why are we celebrating an attempted criminal act anyway? I had never heard of Guy Fawkes before I move to NZ.

It seemed to be pretty popular when I was living in London for a few years. There are idiots everywhere, not just NZ - walking home once in a usually safe part of North London (it's all relative I guess) I had someone aim some fireworks at my head and it skimmed my ear.

JimmyC

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#1168169 4-Nov-2014 08:22

bfginger: Cars and dogs cause far, far more harm to animals and people than fireworks and nobody is suggesting banning them.

Actually we do ban certain breeds of dogs and there are many others on the wish list of most sane people. Cars and their drivers are sufficiently policed in my mind so I don't see the comparison.

They had a "fireworks retailer" being interviewed on the radio this morning stating no one had ever died in NZ from fireworks and we should compare that with tobacco and alcohol deaths yet we don't want to ban those. Well Mr. Retailer, you can smoke away to your lungs content in your own home and drink yourself under the table afterwards, neither of those actions impact me at all. Idiots letting fireworks off over and around my property at random hours of the day\night does affect the welfare of my household directly so I should have a determining input as to whether or not that's allowed. Currently I don't, so you can aim whatever you like wherever you like under the auspices of kiwi tradition. It's pretty insane actually.

n4

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#1168180 4-Nov-2014 08:44

JimmyC:
bfginger: Cars and dogs cause far, far more harm to animals and people than fireworks and nobody is suggesting banning them.

Actually we do ban certain breeds of dogs and there are many others on the wish list of most sane people. Cars and their drivers are sufficiently policed in my mind so I don't see the comparison.

They had a "fireworks retailer" being interviewed on the radio this morning stating no one had ever died in NZ from fireworks and we should compare that with tobacco and alcohol deaths yet we don't want to ban those. Well Mr. Retailer, you can smoke away to your lungs content in your own home and drink yourself under the table afterwards, neither of those actions impact me at all.

Yeah, cause no one ever got killed or injured by a drunk driver, or one who had been smoking weed...

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tstone

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#1168222 4-Nov-2014 09:15

#FirstWorldProblem More important things to worry about.

t92300

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Master Geek
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#1168223 4-Nov-2014 09:15

Elpie:
mattwnz: The fact that anyone can buy them, and you don't need any certification or handling course to handle the explosive just shows why so many people are hurt and fires are started every year.

Ironically, people have to jump through hoops and have a license if they want to buy gunpowder. Yet, any bozo can buy gunpowder wrapped up with bangy things. If John Key has credible evidence that there is a terrorism threat inside our borders then those terrorists must be laughing at the ease with which they can stock up on gunpowder with nobody being any the wiser.

If a terrorist wanted to stock up on explosives in NZ there are much easier, legal and non restrictive ways of obtaining them.

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trig42

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#1168225 4-Nov-2014 09:17

I enjoyed (and was probably a bloody idiot with) fireworks in my 'yoof'. It was only ever in the week leading up to Guy Fawkes (now it is 3 days), never afterwards.

Now you have people stocking up on massive boxes of relatively cheap fireworks and dragging them out everytime they get pissed.

I have no problem with them being available to buy, but there needs to restrictions on time and place for setting them off. Our neighbourhood has been relatively quiet so far this year, but I expect tonight and tomorrow to kick off (weather is nice today) and the weekend to have a few parties, and that is fine - it is the random times between now and say, February that is unacceptable - those things are really loud (I'm sure they weren't that loud in my day!).

Unfortunately, I see the restrictions being too hard to enforce, therefore a complete ban will be the next logical step.

Bee

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#1168255 4-Nov-2014 09:28

Typical National Government. No worries changing the flag or selling state housing or taking away workers rights, but stop retailers selling product oh no thats "Nanny State" we wont do that!

Doing your best is much more important than being the best.

Hammerer

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#1168287 4-Nov-2014 10:11

We don't celebrate Guy Fawkes for what it originally commemorated. We use it as another time to have friends around and it is really good display for people who come from overseas. We've got 30-40 people coming to our house tomorrow night.

Around the world it's not as widespread as it used to be so it becomes more distinctive as time goes on - the Australians don't have it now. None of the other NZ celebrations are quite as colourful and unique. I'd much rather have it than some celebration newly imported from North America, India, or wherever.

I'd also like to see the tom thumb crackers allowed back. On the other hand I'd be happy if the regulations limited the noise levels as we mostly enjoy the colourful displays. Our favourites are the roman candles.

MikeB4

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#1168293 4-Nov-2014 10:18

If we must have these things why not do it something relevant to New Zealand like Waitangi Day or Matariki

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Geektastic

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#1168297 4-Nov-2014 10:33

KiwiNZ: If we must have these things why not do it something relevant to New Zealand like Waitangi Day or Matariki

I do not regard them as culturally relevant to me.

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MikeB4

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#1168300 4-Nov-2014 10:36

Geektastic:
KiwiNZ: If we must have these things why not do it something relevant to New Zealand like Waitangi Day or Matariki

I do not regard them as culturally relevant to me.

We really do need to civilise you and get you eating Fush and Chups wearing UghBoots and at the mall and saying yeah nah. Then you will get it :P

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Geektastic

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#1168315 4-Nov-2014 11:03

KiwiNZ:
Geektastic:
KiwiNZ: If we must have these things why not do it something relevant to New Zealand like Waitangi Day or Matariki

I do not regard them as culturally relevant to me.

We really do need to civilise you and get you eating Fush and Chups wearing UghBoots and at the mall and saying yeah nah. Then you will get it :P

I was still mourning the loss of the Empire Day bank holiday when I left the UK so you may have an uphill struggle...!

MikeB4

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#1168358 4-Nov-2014 11:48

Geektastic:
KiwiNZ:
Geektastic:
KiwiNZ: If we must have these things why not do it something relevant to New Zealand like Waitangi Day or Matariki

I do not regard them as culturally relevant to me.

We really do need to civilise you and get you eating Fush and Chups wearing UghBoots and at the mall and saying yeah nah. Then you will get it :P

I was still mourning the loss of the Empire Day bank holiday when I left the UK so you may have an uphill struggle...!

Yep my Father in law talks about Bank holiday's... :) so its an un-winnable campaign.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Mark

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#1168370 4-Nov-2014 12:04

No, don't ban them. The world is getting all boring and politically correct enough as it is, why can't people let other people have fun for a short period of the year ?

My kids love watching fireworks, and love having mini firework displays put on just for them, why should they have that enjoyment taken away ?

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