Really, what is the justification of the necessity of multiple days of exploding fireworks by individuals considering there are many local Firework displays which occur under the control of trained pyrotech experts?

Fireworks displays are held in areas that do not subject private residents’ homes an other personal properties to raining showers of extremely explosive volatile aerial flaming embers, embers that result in fires/personal injuries an in some cases deaths.

As of June 29 due to the drought conditions in the Ozarks, Missouri State Fire Marshal was asking residents to avoid using fireworks this Fourth of July.

Why did Barry County Commissioners ignore that warning, and did not declare a Burn Ban. Do they not care about the safety of residents, damage/or loss of residents property?

Please consider the following:

Pros

1. Self Gratification

2. Huge profits to select producers/sellers of pyrotechnic devises, whereas most monies going overseas to China.

Cons

1. Monetary Expense that could be applied to assist less fortunate i.e. (homeless vets/animals, food starved individuals to name a few). In 2023, Missouri had sales totaling nearly $125.9 million. 2019, China was the origin of 95 percent of all bottle rockets, roman candles and other pyrotechnics brought into the country. Having a value of $336 million and a total weight of 129,000 tons.

2. Causes psychological trauma to disabled vets suffering from PTSD 3. Causes psychological trauma to victims of gun violence suffering from PTSD.

4. Psychologically traumatic to many young children

5. Very traumatic to most mammals/birds

6. Environmentally detrimental (most debris is never cleaned up, just left to decay and gum up sewer treatment plants. In 2019, fireworks in the U.S. emitted over 60,000 metric tons of CO2, and they cased 19,000 fires resulting in $59 million in direct property damage

7. Fireworks in 2022 caused major human injuries, 300,000 injuries (mostly Children and Teens), resulting in 20,200 being treated in ERs 8. Resulting in astronomical property/ healthcare insurance claims/costs due to one’s willful voluntary acts.

The intent of the Founding Fathers was to declare freedom from a tyrannical king, not for the general populace to cause harm to others and others’ livestock and properties.

Consequently, folks could we not limit celebratory explosion of fireworks to a single day of the 4th of July Holiday Independence Day, preferably via controlled Fireworks Displays managed by Pyrotechnic experts?

Joyce Lessely

Cassville