We've had an ongoing argument out here about the individual's right to blow things up using firecrackers, sparklers and whirligigs. Aerials have been outlawed for a few years. The American Lung Association, the cops and the firefighters favor an outright ban, because of health and safety concerns.
The state legislature passed a bill this year authorizing counties to make their own decisions about banning or permitting fireworks, and the Honolulu City Council (which represents all of Honolulu County, meaning the entire island of Oahu) had its first hearing on a prospective ban yesterday.
A bill banning all consumer fireworks advanced out of the City Council Public Safety and Services Committee by a vote of 3-0.There's an interesting subtext here. In May a sitting member of the Council won a special election to the US House, leaving his seat vacant. The City Council had to appoint his replacement, and they picked a former police chief to fill out the term. He's long been an advocate of banning the things, so that gave the forces for good (I am in favor of a ban) another vote.
One of the arguments made by a fireworks lobbyist was that it was simply unfair for the vast majority of the population's "right" to shoot off fireworks to be curtailed because of the actions of a very few. Well, I am unaware of any such right in either the state or Federal Constitution, but more than that, that's just a silly analogy. Legislatures limit activities which only a minority engage in all the time. Is it unfair to make driving under the influence of alcohol illegal, even though the bulk of the population never does? Or texting while driving, or cellphone usage while driving, or not buckling seat belts?
Now a ban has passed its first hurdle. We are one step closer to clean air and fewer fires on holidays.
Posted by Linkmeister at July 2, 2010 08:11 AM | TrackBack