The city of Lawrence, Kansas is missing out on huge economic opportunities, and infringing on the celebratory freedoms of its residents by outlawing the use of fireworks inside city limits. The ban was created to save money on city insurance and help residents with PTSD and breathing issues. The ban fails at stopping loud noises and explosions because it is extremely loosely enforced, and it allows use of fireworks by the city to put on a show that is even brighter and louder than consumer fireworks. If the city were to implement a sales tax on fireworks, they could make thousands of dollars each year, as well as take Police focus away from harmless fireworks calls and focus it on more pressing and dangerous matters such as drunk driving, fights, and other crime. According to an article by the LJ World, only "a handful of calls" are made each year reporting illegal fireworks use, and most of the time fines and citations aren't even made by law enforcement officers. Legalizing fireworks use, sales, and distribution inside city limits would not only save the money of overtime spent on increasing the amount of on-duty officers, but it would earn the city money through sales tax. This petition shows your support of repealing Lawrence city ordinance 7594 and ordinance 8802 that prohibit the use, possession, and sales of fireworks inside of city limits. It also shows your support for legalizing the use and sales of fireworks inside of the city limits of Lawrence, Kansas.
