Fireworks are a great way to celebrate special events. Putting on a display for your friends and family can be fun, but buying fireworks can come with some specific regulations in your location. Understanding the rules surrounding fireworks in your state or city is essential, and fireworks retailers may not be able to sell you some of the things you want to buy.

Buying Fireworks

If you are looking for fireworks to put on a small display at home, you can often go to a fireworks retailer in the area and buy some very nice, basic fireworks. If you live in a state that does not allow fireworks, you may not have a retailer near you, and using fireworks obtained from another source could get you in legal trouble.

States that allow the sale of fireworks often have many fireworks retailers in permanent locations that enable you to go in all year long and purchase some items. There may be limits on what you can buy, though, and selling fireworks legally is very different from using them legally. 

The fireworks retailer may be allowed to sell many different kinds of fireworks, including large mortars that produce huge displays high overhead, but they may not be able to sell them to you. In many states, you have to have a license for fireworks that shows you have the training and expertise to use them. 

Using Fireworks

When you go to a fireworks retailer to purchase fireworks, they may sell you things you can't legally use. The retailer may be allowed to sell the items in the state because there are fireworks display companies that can use them legally.

If the law does not limit the sale of these fireworks specifically, you may be able to buy them even though setting them off is not legal in your area. The fireworks retailer is following the law for sales, but it is up to the person making the purchase to determine if they can use the fireworks they purchased.

Most retailers in the area will know what is legal and what is not, so ask them about anything you are interested in buying. They may tell you that you can buy them but that you can't use them, but once you make the purchase, it is on you to make sure you are following the law. 

Other Resources

You may want to check with the police department or the fire department in your area before planning any fireworks display. Both of these departments will know what you can legally use in your area, and both would much rather help you determine what to buy than to have to deal with a problem because you didn't take the time to check the laws.