| State Senator David J. Cappiello (R-24th)
and State Representative Mary Ann Carson (R-108th) are urging
members of the Committee on Public Safety to seriously consider
their respective bills aimed at amending current legislation
to limit the types of sparklers allowed for purchase, use
or sale. Fireworks vendors have taken advantage of language
in the current statues as roadside stands and stores featuring
fireworks have opened across Connecticut. Both bills were
referred to the Legislature’s Public Safety Committee
in January, but have yet to be called for a public hearing.
“This is a bill that I submitted
at the beginning of this year’s Legislative Session,”
said Senator Cappiello. “In fact, I even wrote a letter
on January 31st directly to the Chairman of the Public Safety
Committee asking him to raise the bill for consideration.
I am still waiting for a public hearing so the bill can
be moved out of committee and onto the Floors of the House
and Senate for a vote. It is unfortunate that it took the
horrible tragedy in Rhode Island this week for the legislature
to become more aware of the dangers of these sparklers,
but I am nevertheless pleased that some officials are now
looking more closely at my legislation.”
Legislation passed in 2000 legalized the
sale, purchase and use of certain types of sparklers by
anyone age sixteen or older. Senator Cappiello and Rep.
Carson’s bills would place more stringent limitations
on the types of sparklers that could be sold.
“I am pleased to see that the Public
Safety Committee is willing to give our legislation a second
look following the Rhode Island tragedy, so we can insure
similar problems don’t happen in Connecticut,”
said Rep. Carson. “We heard far more people in opposition
of the change in the state’s sparkler law after it
took effect. What many legislators thought would only legalize
small sparklers actually allowed more elaborate fireworks
and suddenly roadside stands selling them popped up across
the state. I’m hopeful the Public Safety Committee
will approve new limits on sparklers so that the issue can
be debated by the entire Legislature.”
“The current law, in my opinion, does
not go far enough towards limiting the type of sparklers
allowed under state law,” said Senator Cappiello.
“Many legalized fireworks and other explosives can
still be extremely dangerous for adults and children alike
and it is in everyone’s best interests to control
their use and sale. The tragic events in our neighboring
state of Rhode Island earlier this week just reemphasized
that point.”
(Attached is a dated copy of the letter Senator Cappiello
sent to the Public Safety Committee and a copy of both legislators’
proposed bills.) |
