ELIOT, Maine — Maine retailers apparently aren’t in a rush to seek to sell fireworks, which became legal as of Jan. 1.
Richard Taylor of the state fire marshal’s office told the Portsmouth Herald that the agency anticipated applications for the sale of consumer fireworks. But so far, there have been no applications and more than a dozen communities have enacted local bans on fireworks.
Under Maine’s new law, anyone wishing to open a retail store or add fireworks to their inventory must first request a permit from the state fire marshal’s office.
At least one entrepreneur hopes to do so. Steve Marson plans to sell fireworks at six locations, but he said his efforts have been delayed by red tape.
I go to New Hampshire or Pennsylvania for my fireworks.
It’s a seasonal industry. They will start popping up as summer approaches. Ask anyone who has spent anytime in a state where they were never banned.
Is this really all that surprising? What business person would start such a business in a State where many communities (Likely many more to come) have already passed local ordinances that prohibit their use? Fireworks aren’t nearly as amusing when they can only be used as wall hangings.
Interesting that the Penguin administration spent so much of our time and money to push through a law that most people find annoying enough to ban.
Not every community is trying to ban fireworks. My hometown is considering permits for them. People won’t get in trouble if they use fireworks without the permit, but they will if they damage something or someone with the fireworks. That aside, my impression is that people have used and will use fireworks in Maine whether it’s legal or not. There is clearly demand in Maine for fireworks, so businesses will supply.
What kind of people think selling fireworks is good business ?
Logic and business sense trumps your partisan dogma.
Business is business.
Look at the results … So Govenah, besides surprised that fireworks sales might not really turn around the State economy … is there any new business to be discussed, yet ?
They will be cheaper in Hew Hampshire. The fireworks will still be used in every town/city that banned them. It will only be an ordinance violation to do so, which should never be a priority for police to enforce.
Will it be like getting a parking ticket?
Are New Hampshire fireworks cheaper than (Maine’s) + (Tank of gas)?
Can’t wait to see the rockets red glare all summer long in Portland, Augusta an Bangor.
House fires are exciting.
Not true, I bought some just the other day on the street in Belfast from a guy that looked that looked a lot like the former Mayor or Elvis, it was hard to tell the difference, but I got my rockets any way. thanks elvis.
Good luck sleeping 2 weeks before the 4th till 2 weeks after. Enjoy the forest fires & scared animals too.
Awwwwwwwwwwww…
we could all just discharge blank rounds from our shot guns and rifles instead
I’ve already set a bunch off. feels good.
“At least one entrepreneur hopes to do so. Steve Marson plans to sell fireworks at six locations, but he said his efforts have been delayed by red tape.” –
Not here in Maine where the fun police live, you can’t make me believe it.(sarcasm) So how can the Fire Marshall say they have not received any applications, when this man clearly has submitted them? Maybe because the fire marshall put the app in the wrong file and now he can’t find it, wink-wink.
According to the press herald, he hasn’t submited yet because they haven’t finalized the rules/Keep changing them. I am not super clear on the specifics, buts it probably worth looking up.