Should Shooting Off Fireworks be a Crime?
Fireworks on the 4th of July are as American as apple pie. Yet, in an effort to create a perfect world, law makers in Denver and Colorado have outlawed many fireworks like Blackcats, Cherry bombs and M80s. Even bottle rockets are seen as too dangerous or too much fun to have around. The governments’s solution? Make them a felony law violation of explosive or incendiary parts laws under C.R.S. 18-12-109.
What is Possession of Explosive or Incendiary Parts in Arapahoe County, C.R.S. 18-12-109
“Explosive or incendiary device” means:
(A) Dynamite and all other forms of high explosives, including, but not limited to, water gel, slurry, military C-4 (plastic explosives), blasting agents to include nitro-carbon-nitrate, and ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixtures, cast primers and boosters, R.D.X., P.E.T.N., electric and nonelectric blasting caps, exploding cords commonly called detonating cord or det-cord or primacord, picric acid explosives, T.N.T. and T.N.T. mixtures, and nitroglycerin and nitroglycerin mixtures;
(B) Any explosive bomb, grenade, missile, or similar device; and
(C) Any incendiary bomb or grenade, fire bomb, or similar device, including any device, except kerosene lamps, which consists of or includes a breakable container including a flammable liquid or compound and a wick composed of any material which, when ignited, is capable of igniting such flammable liquid or compound and can be carried or thrown by one individual acting alone.
Colorado law prohibits the use or possession of Explosives and Incendiary Devices. This includes anything which meets the definitions above. Of course, this includes firecrackers, M80’s, cherry bombs and bottle rockets. We have even seen teenagers charged with this crime for blowing up plastic pop bottles.
Firecrackers and Bottle Rockers are Explosives and Incendiary Devices – Jefferson County Lawyer
In Golden, Lakewood and Arvada, our Jefferson County Attorneys defend men and women accused of possessing Explosive or Incendiary Parts under C.R.S. 18-12-109. Anyone shooting off a bottle rocket or firecracker can be charged. This is ridiculous as lawmakers equate celebrating the 4th of July with terrorist or other dangerous activity.
Fourth of July Celebrations Should not be Outlawed in Douglas County
We need to have fun when celebrating the 4th of July, and laws which are written so broadly as to prohibit traditional celebrations of our independence are un-American. Police and firefighters need to relax and let citizens of this great nation enjoy tradition. Tradition means fireworks. We should not be so concerned with creating perfect society that we restrict celebrations of our country’s birth just to be 100% safe. There is no such thing as a perfectly safe world anyway.
We are criminal defense lawyers in Adams County and across Colorado. We believe in the Constitution and freedoms typically enjoyed such as fireworks. Fireworks should be excluded from laws covering explosives and incendiary devices. They are un-American. For help, call our defense lawyers 24/7 at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – KoLa