Reader's views: Proposed ban on fireworks sales

Most Herald readers strongly support a ban on fireworks sales to the public, based on email responses to yesterday's story about a Government call for more responsible behaviour at Guy Fawkes time. Here is an edited selection:

I have never enjoyed Guy Fawkes night much - probably because most of my fireworks have been around irresponsible people (although not as irresponsible as some). It's very dangerous - I am surprised there haven't been bans years ago. And people are getting more immature and making bombs. I know this happens anyway, but fireworks give them the equipment they need.
- Jess Ammann.

There should be as few restrictions on fireworks as possible. We have so many laws, rules, policies and regulations on just about everything one can imagine that it almost feels embarrassing that we can no longer be responsible for ourselves. I don't for one minute deny that there are issues with fireworks each year, but please leave a little of the devil in us all to have a wee bit of fun. How many of us still see Guy Fawkes as a social gathering where we can get a laugh and be amazed by the antics of the younger ones and their reactions to some of the more spectacular home displays? There will always be idiots who will cause problems, but I believe most sensible Kiwis will say "C'mon, we still need a little bit of a laugh now and then".
- Mike Fleming.

Yes - I support a total ban on private use of fireworks. Why? Because each fireworks season children are injured, animals are frightened and injured, firefighters' lives are endangered, thousands of dollars of property is damaged and the peace and quiet of communities is destroyed.
None of this would matter so much if fireworks were restricted to one night or even one weekend. But the "season" last year went on for 10 days before November 5 and many weeks after. While I wish education was the answer, it won't work. Most of the problem comes from a few people and they couldn't give a damn about safety messages. At least through public displays those who want to have fireworks can have them. At the moment the rest of us are denied for many weeks basic rights such as safety for our animals and a good night's sleep. Ban them.
- Helen McCracken.

Guy Fawkes Day as a tradition and a ceremony lacks integrity and meaning in modern New Zealand. The typical teenager who buys fireworks does not have the first clue about the significance of the pyrotechnics he is setting alight, nor do his parents. New Zealand as a society is too ashamed of its vacuous investment in this empty tradition to say: "We have no reason to celebrate, we have been stupid for too many years - let's do something about it." Change is coming, though, not through thoughtful reflection but because of the mounting costs of firework damage, and the annual embarrassment this stupidity inflicts upon us.
- Michael Stowers.

Guy Fawkes is just another "celebration" which has no meaning or relevance for most 21st-century New Zealanders. If its observance were limited to November 5, I could accommodate one evening of noise and potential mayhem. But it isn't. The day fireworks become legally available for sale is the day individuals begin to let them off, and they continue to do so for weeks with the attendant danger to life and limb of animals and people. Ban their sale to the public. Please.
- Adele Pullen.

Fireworks should be restricted to use only at public displays - they are lethal weapons in the wrong hands. Haven't enough innocent animals and victims suffered? Ban sales now.
- Eve Brown.

Why should something be banned because of the minority? You see it too often in New Zealand. As soon as a few people complain about something it is banned, no matter what other people think. Plenty of things are far worse than fireworks, Alcohol, cigarettes, cars, junk food ... the list goes on. Why not ban them all?
- Aaron Walden.

Ban them for sale to the public and have controlled displays. Last year was a disgrace - you will never educate the idiots and a campaign to do so is a waste of money.
- Pat Frost.

Why isn't the Government looking at banning fireworks to make New Zealand a safer place? Fireworks are much more powerful and cheaper to buy than they used to be. If councils got together, they could supply more controlled fireworks displays in parks for all to see in safety.
- Kylie Adams.

I now live in Queensland, where there is a total ban on the sale of all fireworks. I am amazed that New Zealand hasn't caught on to banning the use of fireworks instead of having these annual dramas of people and animals being injured and fires being caused by the irresponsible use of fireworks. I understand that in Australia, the ban was brought in several years ago to prevent that happening, with good results. All fireworks are now put on at public displays by licensed pyrotechnic people. For once, take a leaf out of the Aussie book and prevent the annual fireworks madness.
- John Vyver.

Yes, I definitely think there should be more restrictions on fireworks. Even in the case of well-organised displays - and some are very well organised - the noise and brightness can be trying for the elderly living nearby. For animals this is a time of terror, most distressing to see. All the more reason to limit private firework sessions to within a few days of November 5, and above all to keep fireworks out of the hands of children, who are so often injured by them.
- C. D. Hewlett.

I am in my middle 20s and would really like to see all fireworks banned.
They are a waste of time for hospitals, fire-fighters and police. There should be fireworks shows that people can attend, and no fireworks at home.
- Amy Jackson.

I agree with Bob Kerridge that it is too late to start trying to "educate" people about the dangers of fireworks. Surely we all know by now? There have been years of safety messages and law changes. What good have they done? Unfortunately, there are too many irresponsible and stupid people who have ruined it for the rest of us. It is time to stop selling fireworks to the public and promote those wonderful big public displays that are so much more impressive than the fizzers you buy at The Warehouse.
- Mandy Price.