Fourth of July fireworks will soon be bursting in air, but a new survey shows a majority of Floridians want the boom brought down a bit, with a plurality preferring a full fireworks ban.
The survey was conducted by Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab (PolCom Lab) and Mainstreet Research USA. Pollsters asked registered voters, “Would you support stricter regulations or bans on the sale and use of consumer fireworks in your area to reduce the noise and the stress they cause for people and pets?”
The results show 27% want an outright ban on fireworks, while another 27% would prefer time-based restrictions rather than a full ban. Only 5% felt fireworks should have no restrictions.
Robert E. Gutsche Jr., associate professor in digital cultures and strategy lead for the PolCom Lab, acknowledged the concerns expressed by a majority of respondents, but predicted that a full ban is unlikely.
“Fireworks are a long-standing tradition for celebrations across the world, but here in the U.S. they are ubiquitous to American patriotism,” Gutsche said.
“Walking around neighborhoods and across communities during Fourth of July, there is always some feeling or discussion of apprehension about fireworks and their possible effects on animals and children, for example. I’m not sure that means society is ready to ban them, though.”The poll’s findings also saw a partisan split, with 63% of Democrats favor a ban or restrictions for fireworks in neighborhoods. Nearly a third of Republicans, meanwhile, want no restrictions.
According to FAU and Mainstreet USA, the survey was conducted June 29-30 in English and Spanish. “Since the poll was partially completed online, a margin of error cannot be assigned to the poll, but a poll of this size would have a margin of error of +/- (3.2 percentage points) at the 95% confidence level,” the polling memo added.
–Ryan Nicol, Florida Politics
JimboXYZ says
I’m for an outright ban. The one’s that set off fireworks Thursday are renters, which means they don’t own that residential & I’d bet money that not one of them had an insurance policy had the fireworks they shot over other’s homes would be adequate to pay for starting a fire. Pets being stressed & terrified are another reason.
So after the 1.5 hours they shot off fireworks, they jumped in their pickup trucks and drove off in an unsafe manner like they always do thru the residential. From the yelling & shouting during their fireworks show, I don’t doubt that at least alcohol was involved. Glad those people moved further down the street. But they were still in range of their fireworks.
Even with the rain we’ve been getting the lawns are still dry & brown in some areas. Back in the day, one couldn’t get the fireworks these neighbors were setting off, only those that contracted for fireworks shows could purchase those. I recall things like smoke bombs, sparklers and similar fireworks were about all anyone could get legally. The fireworks that invaded my airspace were average for what the firework professional contractor with the city would set off. Nobody wants to see a treeline catch fire because a drunken idiot is trying to entertain their family twice a year, roughly 6 months apart. As Alfin grows Palm Coast, we’re certain to get more imbeciles & morons relocating here. You can tell Thursday’s rogue fireworks shows still triggers me. There were at least 3 neighbors setting these off, they’re usually the one’s that FCSO has to visit for a domestic call or few throughout the year.
COOPER says
Fireworks in Flagler Beach are a nuisance to the homeowner. Renters and teenagers use them to harass people who don’t like them. Our ordinances say they are against the law but we had a “do nothing” police department. You call they will not come. Teens are beginning to be gangs. They shoot off fireworks over your house. They walk the dunes and disrespect your private walkover.
Wallingford says
Ironic, we can restrict or ban fireworks but we cannot do the same for firearms. Which kills more people annually.
Mark says
“The results show 27% want an outright ban on fireworks, while another 27% would prefer time-based restrictions rather than a full ban. Only 5% felt fireworks should have no restrictions.”
I wouldn’t call that a majority and Florida has two days in which it’s legal, not like some states where it’s all year.
Laurel says
Actually, here in the Hammock, there was far less disturbance than usual. Yea! I think it should be controlled to July 4th only. Forget New Year’s Eve. People should be educated every year about the handling and firing of fireworks in a responsible manner. This could be taught in schools, taught by the Forestry Department, the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department and the Police Department. There could be a summer course at community centers.
To shoot fireworks over a neighbor’s house, well here’ your sign: Moron! By the way, pick up after yourself. Don’t be a selfish, inconsiderate slob. Short term rentals should have signage stating “No fireworks allowed.”
Yes, it’s a stressors to pets and people, but if it is limited to one day a year, it also gives the local wildlife a break. There’s nowhere for them to go. Just a bad day for them, and it’s over until next year. Keep your pets indoors, they look to you for their security. Our cats stay calm through hurricanes because we stay calm. Think about them.
Samuel says
If Europe and other states in the US can use fireworks that don’t make noises so can all states do the same. Then you get people like the guy in the Carolina’s that placed a firework on his head and killed himself.
The American people have begged for bans on assault weapons but the law makers in Washington don’t care what the American people want they only care about who gives them money so there for they won’t ban them even though they kill more innocent people every year.
The only time politicians care about the people is when they want our vote, after that they don’t give too craps.
c says
Some of you folks seem to think that a majority opinion has any effect on the Florida Legislature or Governor.
Jim says
JimboXYZ,
What’s wrong with you?!? Shooting off fireworks is one of the FREEDOMS of living in the free state of Florida! Surely you wouldn’t want the government to start telling people what to do? We’ve got the Republicans in office around here for a good reason! Nobody’s going to take away any of our freedoms as long as we keep them in place! Besides, don’t you really think it’s Biden’s fault that fireworks are being shot off by the renters (who are probably illegal aliens anyway)! I hope you’ll reconsider your very liberal position on this.
Laurel says
That reminds me, I think it was last year that I saw one hell of a drone show, I think in China, on YouTube. There must have been several hundred drones that flew in dramatic formations, with their colors changing, and lights flashing, it was amazing! These drone can do so much more than fireworks can.
Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcoIUd9Y3-w
JimboXYZ says
Watch this and you’ll understand my position. Trust me, this is what rents duplexes up & down the streets of Palm Coast. Palm Coast already has the ordinances that prohibit this level of stupidity. Problem is enforcement. Come on Jim, you’ve seen them & their families move in & out of the musical chairs of duplex rentals. Sometimes you have to take the ball out of their hands to fail at this level. Any of us are just a lease expiration or eviction from them renting next door as the new neighbors. And it’s just a few that simply don’t exercise sound judgement. FCOL, it was like the Gaza Strip on the 4th of July for an hour & a half. A neighborhood fire from a defective firework waiting to happen during a drought. And virtually every firework set off invaded another’s air space. Too many people packed into one area the minority of those violating the ordinances are the one’s holding the rest of us hostage with their right to freedoms. Burn my house or neighborhood down, I’m not going to have a sense of humor about the dimwit that tells me about their rights & freedoms.
Instigator says
Sadly, The current law says the Officer has to see the offender in the act of launching the firework for them to be cited. So, we can itch an moan all we want. Peer pressure will work if we ALL deemed it to be.