Within hours of fireworks shows concluding across the state, a petition is circulating to end the sale of consumer-grade fireworks to the public.
The petition on MoveOn.org called “Repeal the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act of 2011” has more than 28,000 signatures.
The Fireworks Safety Act of 2011 was originally passed to allow people to buy consumer-grade, airborne fireworks in the state.
Before the bill, many were crossing state lines to buy them even though they were illegal.
The petition states lawmakers wanted to increase revenue in the state, so they passed the act to keep those fireworks sales local, since people were lighting them anyway.
Now consumer-grade fireworks are easy for anyone to buy.
In 2015 the state made made over $2 million in firework tax revenue. In 2016 $1.6 million was made.
The petition says in part, “The result has been a drastic increase in the amount and violence of private fireworks displays all over the state of Michigan, thereby endangering people, pets and property."
The petition is seeking 30,000 signatures to send their message to the Michigan Senate and House, and governor’s office.
