Officials: Aerial fireworks are still illegal in Arizona
Jun 28, 2012, 6:07 AM | Updated: 6:08 am
The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and one of the more popular activities is to buy and light fireworks.
In Arizona, buying fireworks at tents and grocery stores isn’t a problem. Anything purchased at those stands is legal. However, all aerial fireworks are considered illegal.
The problem is that lighting those fireworks could be illegal in many Valley cities.
“The state allows the sale of fireworks, but it’s the cities that prohibit the use,” said Brian Scholl, a fire inspector with the Phoenix Fire Department. “Most cities say no because they can be very dangerous and start fires.”
If police catch someone shooting fireworks when or where they aren’t supposed to, they could be fined up to $2,500 or face six months in jail.
Valley cities with complete firework bans are Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Peoria, Avondale and Surprise.
Chandler and Tempe allow use of “novelty” fireworks, which includes smoke bombs and sparklers.
Mesa allows residents to light legal fireworks as long as it’s on private property from June 28 to July 4.
Gilbert also allows the use of legal fireworks on private property from July 3 to July 5.
