It has been ascertained that the Delevan, Wisconsin murders (of six) was a domestic issue, and not a home invasion (helluva way to settle an argument). So, picking right up where we left off yesterday...The whole issue ABOUT fireworks (for the neophytes) would SEEM to be a total non sequitor, but alas, it's far from that. What we currently have is a "blank check" that allows those with absolutely NO knowledge of pyrotechnics (other than lighting them and running like hell) to set them off on "certain days" of our calendar year, thanks in no small part to the most recent "amendment" to the Indiana fireworks laws.
Now you KNOW if people can buy fireworks at ANY time of the year, they will go ahead, thumb their little primate noses at the law, and set them the hell off anyway, regardless of what DAY it is, with little or no caution. It's all about being ENTERTAINED. Whatever makes you feel good...to hell with safety.
OK...quick lesson in vocabulary:
OK...quick lesson in vocabulary:
FIREARM: (n) - a device that can be used as a weapon from which a projectile is expended by the combustion of explosive compositions.
FIREWORK: (n) - a device that produces a striking display by the combustion of explosive or flammable compositions.
And let's remember...a FIREWORK DOES expend a "projectile"....what do you think produces all those neat colors and flashes?
So, with that being said....does anyone ELSE see a SIMILARITY here?
So, with that being said....does anyone ELSE see a SIMILARITY here?
If a FIREWORK "were" to be pointed at someone or something "specifically", then it is a FIREARM (by definition if not by description). Real simple, huh?
And since we do background checks for purchasers of FIREARMS, would it not be prudent to do likewise with those buying FIREWORKS?
I would be the first one to tell you that given the right impetus, I could go out, buy some really nice, large fireworks, and with little modification, turn them into something that would require you to up-armor your SUV. And don't think that someone with a lot less conscience hasn't already thought of (or even tried) that already...or will try that in the future. It can be done, and for a lot less hassle than people think. It's scary to think of scenarios such as this.
Just because fireworks don't expend a steel-jacketed projectile, it doesn't make them any less lethal, given the right circumstances. And we know that too many novices play around with fireworks every year, with predictable results (several hundred hospital visits a year just in Fort Wayne). Granted there are fewer DEATHS from fireworks than firearms, but it's only a matter of time before people start getting more "creative", especially with the larger items for sale at retail stores.
We can't legislate STUPIDITY out of the human equation (yet), and we can't keep AUTOMOBILES out of the "wrong hands" (read drunks and substance abusers), and we sure can't keep butter knives, hatchets, ice picks and so on out of same, but since we're trying to keep firearms out of the hands of those too irresponsible to have them in the first place, a good "next step" would be to ensure that as many of these "wrong people" (as possible) are not given the chance to have cautionary devices such as fireworks in their hands as well. Being nothing less than prudent should win out.
Like guns, we're not going to keep ALL of the fireworks away from those not responsible enough to handle them. We can minimize injuries to people and damage to property with some common sense here though.
The time is ripe for stricter laws governing fireworks. It's not being a spoil-sport...it's just being aware of and averting a potential for injury.
You want to see a REALLY NICE pyrotechnic display?
Leave it to the PROS!
2 comments:
Fireworks..... Celebrate the independence of your country by blowing a small chunk of it up!
Having worked in pediatrics for many years I can tell you first hand that any firework can be extremely dangerous. Our office alone would handle mulitudes of burns from nothing more than sparklers.... which by the way, who's bright idea was it to give a small child an 800 degree flaming piece of sharp metal in the first place - duh? Not to mention all the facial burns and serious hand injuries just from simple bottle rockets and fire crackers. It is very scary to think about how much damage could be done to someone with one of those bigger fireworks if you intentially wanted to. While I've never been a fan of too much government, I have to agree, we need better laws in that department. We're such a bassackwards state, only here can you buy "out of state" fireworks. You can buy them here, but you have to "promise" to take them across state lines to light them off.... yeah right!
An interesting observation I made while reading your post from yesterday and your description of your neighborhood..... I live in Allen County, about 6 miles northeast of Huntertown. We (you and I) are literally only about 20 miles apart (as the crow flies) and yet it is as if we live in completely different countries. In my neck of the woods, we so rarely hear a siren that it really gets everyones attention, we literally jump up and run outside to look and generally get a call from some neighbors down the road who saw where the siren went within minutes.
Another huge difference I realized is that around here, we assume that "bang" IS a gun. People out here hunt and target shoot all the time, ourselves included. In fact, I have never heard a shot and thought to myself "was that a firework?" Instead we sit around and argue what caliper it was. LOL. Of course that may not be such a good thing either; if someone within ear shot of us were ever gunned down in cold blood, we'd not think a thing about hearing shots fired. But then again, we don't have too many problems with that type of violence out here in the first place. It's amazing what a huge difference only a few miles makes.
I originally come from Philly, PA...had about 40+ families in ROWHOMES in ONE block...nearest neighbor was 6 inches away (thickness of the walls between rowhomes), and we NEVER put up with the shenanigans that I see in my block (of only TEN single houses)...it boggles the mind. It's like a form of "culture shock".
Why the stories ALONE that I could relate over the past 10 years here in Fort Wayne would save you a bundle at the hairdresser (it would curl it THAT much).
And no one (in the city gov't) wants to listen..imagine that.
But still you try.
;)
B.G.
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