As the calendar turns to July we will start planning our July 4th celebration with good food and fireworks. The Minneapolis Police Department wants you to have a safe and enjoyable celebration. We also would like the residents to know that not all fireworks are legal within our City limits, or the State of Minnesota for that matter. Here is a summary of the ones that are legal and safe to purchase and enjoy.
Fourth of July Fireworks: What’s legal in Minnesota?
Fireworks and Independence Day have been a traditional combination for decades. Unfortunately, they involve dozens of reported fireworks injuries, especially involving children, each year in Minnesota.
Due to the dangers associated with fireworks and similar explosives not all of them are considered legal. The following is an overview of what’s legal and what’s not.
What fireworks are legal?
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, “the sale, possession, and use of certain non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks are permitted in Minnesota.”
The following are the examples of legal fireworks: Sparklers, snakes, sparking cones and tubes, smoke devices, trick noisemakers, ground spinners, drop pops, illuminating torches, party poppers, strobes and flashes, and snappers with no more than 0.25 grains of explosive mixture each.
State law says that fireworks may only be used on private property. It is against the law to use fireworks on public property such as streets, alleys, parks, schools and government facilities.
What fireworks are illegal?
On the other hand, anything which flies and explodes is illegal in Minnesota. Aerial and explosive fireworks are not allowed for public sale, possession and use.
Examples of illegal fireworks include: Bottle rockets, sky rockets, missile-type rockets, aerial spinners, helicopters, planes, UFOs, firecrackers, Roman candles, mines, mortars or shells, parachutes, chasers, aerial shells, 1.3G display (special of class B) fireworks, and theatrical pyrotechnics.
What are the penalties?
If the violation of selling, possessing or using illegal fireworks involves explosive fires in an amount of 35 pounds gross container weight or more, it is punishable by a maximum prison sentence of one year and/or a fine of up to $3,000.
Another important thing to remember is shooting off fireworks might seem harmless but it can have a dramatic effect for your neighbors and their pets. They can cause fire to dwellings, and cause damaging effects to a pet’s well-being.
If you do have a fireworks display, please be respectful of your neighbors, stop at a reasonable hour as not to wake them, and be mindful of neighborhood pets.
The City of Minneapolis says your best bet is to enjoy a public fireworks display. Not only will you avoid committing a crime, but also suffering an injury.
Note: the biggest and best fireworks display in town is at Red, White and Boom on the river on July 4.