Burzichelli Bill to Authorize Sale, Possession of Certain Fireworks Clears Committee

            (TRENTON) – Legislation Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli sponsored to allow the sale and possession of sparklers and novelty fireworks in New Jersey was advanced Monday by an Assembly committee.

            “The state’s ban on buying fireworks doesn’t stop people from buying fireworks. It just means people go elsewhere to make the purchase, and the associated tax revenue goes to another state,” said Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “The majority of states in the nation permit their residents to buy fireworks. Changing the law would allow New Jersey to join them in participating in the $700 million consumer pyrotechnics industry.”

            The bill (A-4458) would amend current law to allow New Jersey residents age 16 and older to buy certain fireworks, including:

§  wire sparklers with up to 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture each;

§  non-explosive handheld or ground-based sparkling devices with up to 75 grams of pyrotechnic composition per tube; and

§  snakes and glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers, which include party poppers, snappers and drop pops.

            The measure was advanced by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.