Sadly we live in a society that is running out of control. The dangers of fireworks have been with us for a long time as CK says however social/parental responsibility no longer exists in general. It is long over due that fireworks only be sold to approved and registered companies whose business is firework displays. There is also a valid call for them only to be available for certain periods of the year. HMG control many aspects of out lives but is bizarre over this very real danger they sit on their hands.
UKIP PPC Swindon South

Sadly we live in a society that is running out of control. The dangers of fireworks have been with us for a long time as CK says however social/parental responsibility no longer exists in general. It is long over due that fireworks only be sold to approved and registered companies whose business is firework displays. There is also a valid call for them only to be available for certain periods of the year. HMG control many aspects of out lives but is bizarre over this very real danger they sit on their hands.
UKIP PPC Swindon South

I personally voted for the ban because too many idiots just can't manage this stuff, end up hurting other people and leave the rubbish everywhere.
plus this stuff bothers animals.

Well I have mixed feelings on this. The real issue is not the fireworks - I'll be going to a private party this evening where we will have a lot of fun, some food some fireworks and afterwards a beer or two. The kids and adults present will all enjoy themselves. The real proble is the little (and big -they are not all kids!!) scumbags who cannot resist destroying something or hurting someone. This is a societal problem, if they havent got fireworks, they'll just do something else.

Not sure what the answer is but I fear, against all of my libertarian principles, I would agree with a ban.

I agree with Robert Feal-Martinez.

Fireworks nowadays are much more powerful than the type we had when I was a child.

My father wouldn't let my brother and myself light the fireworks until we were of an age where we understood the dangers - and even then only under our father's strict supervision.

He never allowed us to have Roman Candles as he felt they were too unstable.

Early in the evening I have no doubt it is youngsters letting off fireworks who really should be at home, but so many are looked on as an inconvenience by their parents who exert no parental control whatsoever. Later on in the night - and I've heard fireworks being let off at 2am or later, this has to be down to older yobs, probably drunk.

I don't think fireworks should be sold until the week before Guy Fawkes and it should be illegal to let them off before or after that day - like it used to be.

We have had so many bans since this government came in that I'm not altogether sure I want another ban but certainly much stricter controls imposed on these things.

What people also forget is that although fireworks are very pretty they are also very powerful explosives and should be treated with kid gloves.

we may have reservations about fireworks and we may have reservations about our european immigrants but the point is in the EU you can buy almost anything firework-wise and they dont have the vandalism with fireworks we do.
Before you ban have a look at what they do right, or what we do wrong
I think you may find hooliganism/yobbish behaviour , call it what you will, is becoming a very british thing

I wish someone could tell why it is that people cry for misery, complain that there's no money, inflaction increases but there is always money for drinking, fireworks and other useless stuff...

an idea wrote:
I wish someone could tell why it is that people cry for misery, complain that there's no money, inflaction increases but there is always money for drinking, fireworks and other useless stuff...

well drinking aside, putting on some fireworks for the kids is great for them, lots of oohs and aaahs, let them enjoy something - it is the adults who spoil it by being hooligans, if we follow your logic "an idea" we might as well ban christmas, no thanks!!

Well, here's one who wouldn't waste money buying fireworks, nor do I waste money drinking (not keen on the stuff). However, I've just come back from spending a very pleasant evening with friends at a public fireworks display in the Forest of Dean.

A lovely family event with something for every age group and a spectacular fireworks display. Everyone had a lovely time.

An idea: to answer your question... the benenfits system actually provides a very comfortable living for the several million people who depend solely on the rest of us to fund their existance.

The very last thing you do when on benefits is to admit that you have the money to smoke, drink and waste it on fireworks.

Part of the game of 'playing the system' is to always ask for more and pretend you're living in poverty.

Apparently, some gullible people still fall for it.

As for banning fireworks, as JH points out, they are freely and legally available in all EU countries - therefore it would be illegal for the government to ban then in the UK.

Much like the Human Rights Act that this government signed up to (without asking the nation), some EU laws actually prevent the government from governing this country how they want to. Which, to be honest, is often a good thing.

The new EU Consitituion (which Labour promised they ask the nation to comment on, via a referendum which Gordon Brown has now said he won't allow to happen) will remove even more of the government's ability to govern as they see fit.

Initially I was very anti the Human Rights Act and EU Constitution but have recently come to realise that's only because, so far, the people exploiting it have been lawyers (for the benefit of their criminal clients) and immigrants.

Since looking closer at the documents I have found that they actual empower everyone, that also means the normal, decent, tax paying citizens of this country (you know, the one nobody cares about) can pretty much use them to enable themselves to do whatever they want, all perfectly legally.

an idea, you make a very valid points. The reason is a simple one, not having what others have is perceived as being disadvantaged in modern society. When I was growing up in a council house with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, we simply couldn't afford what are now perceived as essentials rather than luxuries and that is the root cause of so much societal unrest. If we returned to a situation where you worked for what you had, provided the essentials for your family and anything left went towards luxuries then envy would still exist but not manifest itself in the way it does now, as a justification for getting into debt, or worse criminal activity. Fireworks for five pound for adults and half for children has got to be cheaper than buying your own. Less displays would mean cheaper prices, ie more going.

an idea, you make a very valid points. The reason is a simple one, not having what others have is perceived as being disadvantaged in modern society. When I was growing up in a council house with 3 brothers and 3 sisters, we simply couldn't afford what are now perceived as essentials rather than luxuries and that is the root cause of so much societal unrest. If we returned to a situation where you worked for what you had, provided the essentials for your family and anything left went towards luxuries then envy would still exist but not manifest itself in the way it does now, as a justification for getting into debt, or worse criminal activity. Fireworks for five pound for adults and half for children has got to be cheaper than buying your own. Less displays would mean cheaper prices, ie more going.

Fireworks are a lethal thing, it is not something to laugh at. To use/buy fireworks age should be RESTRICTED to adults over the age of 21 and of course used by professional registered people rather than see people suffer burns and unlawful damage to their homes. We live in a society today where youngsters think they RULE the land. Get a life you youngsters, we elders are your forerunners who have brought you up, yet YOU are too flaming IGNORSNT and DEAF

jh wrote:

an idea wrote: I wish someone could tell why it is that people cry for misery, complain that there's no money, inflaction increases but there is always money for drinking, fireworks and other useless stuff...

well drinking aside, putting on some fireworks for the kids is great for them, lots of oohs and aaahs, let them enjoy something - it is the adults who spoil it by being hooligans, if we follow your logic "an idea" we might as well ban christmas, no thanks!!

well christmas has got nothing to do with religion, you see. you only pay and pay, you give your money away, so don't complain you haven't got money if you waste it in useless things.
lots of oohs and aahs can be obtained by going for more useful things, never thought of that?

Big Mac wrote:
An idea: to answer your question... the benenfits system actually provides a very comfortable living for the several million people who depend solely on the rest of us to fund their existance. The very last thing you do when on benefits is to admit that you have the money to smoke, drink and waste it on fireworks. Part of the game of 'playing the system' is to always ask for more and pretend you're living in poverty. Apparently, some gullible people still fall for it. As for banning fireworks, as JH points out, they are freely and legally available in all EU countries - therefore it would be illegal for the government to ban then in the UK. Much like the Human Rights Act that this government signed up to (without asking the nation), some EU laws actually prevent the government from governing this country how they want to. Which, to be honest, is often a good thing. The new EU Consitituion (which Labour promised they ask the nation to comment on, via a referendum which Gordon Brown has now said he won't allow to happen) will remove even more of the government's ability to govern as they see fit. Initially I was very anti the Human Rights Act and EU Constitution but have recently come to realise that's only because, so far, the people exploiting it have been lawyers (for the benefit of their criminal clients) and immigrants. Since looking closer at the documents I have found that they actual empower everyone, that also means the normal, decent, tax paying citizens of this country (you know, the one nobody cares about) can pretty much use them to enable themselves to do whatever they want, all perfectly legally.

well that's where I wanted to go.
benefits shoule be directed to essential expenses and not useless and expnsive stuff.
I believe that a closer monitored surveillance should stick to all the people who live on benefits, otherwise it's too easy to live like you won the lottery!
I am FED UP of paying taxes to see my money wasted.
Too FED UP!

I was talking about giving my kids some fun. paid for by money I earn in full time employment, and as a single parent dad, religion has nothing to do with it, and as I dont drink that much nor do drugs, all my money goes on them, and I get a lot of pleasure from their enjoyment, so I think their oohs and aahs is worht a lot.
An Idea be around some children enjoying fireworks it may make you a bit happier ith life

I completely agree with a ban. If you want to see Fireworks then go to an organised display. The way of the world today unfortunately is ruined by mindless idiots. Personally i cannot beleive that governments ban wet T shirt competitions because of health & safty issues yet still people are allowed to handle explosives & run riot causing grief to innocents.How much longer & how much more dammage do we have to put up with before a ban on the public sale of Fireworks is enforced. Yes people have the right of choice- choice of whether to go to a display or not.

jh wrote:
I was talking about giving my kids some fun. paid for by money I earn in full time employment, and as a single parent dad, religion has nothing to do with it, and as I dont drink that much nor do drugs, all my money goes on them, and I get a lot of pleasure from their enjoyment, so I think their oohs and aahs is worht a lot. An Idea be around some children enjoying fireworks it may make you a bit happier ith life

that's the point, I don't need fireworks to find my happiness.
I already have.
there's plenty of better things to do in life and trust me, I have them all.
if you need that to be happy I think you need to review what happiness is...

So does this mean that we are going to start banning everything that yobs choose to use to cause damage and misery?
How long will it be until there is a ban on bicycles because the minority use them on pavements or to cause mischief? Or how about banning cars - I'd be fairly sure they cause more harm than fireworks.
Surely the issue here is not the fireworks, but the idiots who choose to abuce them.
We as a society are becoming more and more willing to accept yobbish behaviour. Or at least we seem to be more than happy to moan about it on places like this, but when it comes to it the justice system lets us down with leniant sentencing.
Personally I would hate a ban on fireworks, as my nieces and nephews love going into the back garden for jacket potatoes and hot dogs whilst I and their Dad put on a little show.
Lets sort out the low lives who choose to make everyone else's life a misery BEFORE we start banning everything and taking the fun out of growing up.