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Originally Posted by Gilda
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But that's true of any accident, isn't it? I mean, an accidental fire is an accidental fire is an accidental fire, right? The numbers are only outrageous because the pool that's drawn on is so much larger and the time frame those numbers fit into is so much smaller. If everyone decided to sky dive on Sept 23rd, then I imagine the numbers for "deaths due to sky diving mishap" would double or triple. I also imagine (if I can take it the other direction for a moment) that if fireworks were allowed to be purchased and used year round (Arkansas restricts sale to two times a year) those numbers would even out.
Are they dangerous? Sure they
can be, but what isn't? The federal government has no problem with people using guns as long as they abide by the rules. The local government has no problem with people using guns as long as they abide by the rules. Once you break a rule, however, you're fair game.
Why isn't it the same with fireworks? I'm a responsible adult. Why aren't I allowed to use fireworks in my yard as long as I abide by the rules? If I set someone's house on fire or blow someone's hand off with an errant firework, I should be punished and will gladly pay the consequences.
The point is, I should be punished only after the rules have been broken, not that there's the
possibility I
might break them.
Set guidelines, strengthen the already existing rules, but to ban them outright? That seems a little heavy handed to me.