The Use of Fireworks is Now Banned in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids City Council voted yesterday to ban the use of fireworks and restrict their sales within the city.

Hopefully all you Cedar Rapidians enjoyed lighting off fireworks earlier this summer, because you won't be able to do it again next year! Yesterday, the Cedar Rapids City Council voted 6 to 1 to not only ban the use of fireworks within the city, but to also restrict their sales to industrial areas. Mayor Ron Corbett was the only person to oppose the ban.

What's the exact reason for the ban? There are actually quite a few reasons. The Gazette reports that, "an online petition signed by nearly 5,000 people called for a ban citing negative impact on military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, young children and pets; safety concerns; and air, water, and ground pollution." Public safety officials also stated that the use of fireworks caused injuries, fires, and a large number of calls for service. Throughout the month of June, the City Council was bombarded by complaints from residents.

The city will be drafting new ordinances to be voted on before New Year's Eve, which is when the use of fireworks become legal again for a small portion of time.

What do you think of the total fireworks ban? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

[Via KCRG/The Gazette]