Tighter controls or time to stop? What Gazette readers think about banning the sale of fireworks

The current law states that fireworks can only be purchased from registered sellers for private use between October 15 and November 10, December 26 to 31 and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

It is illegal for under 18s to buy fireworks and they must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except for on Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Last year, a petition calling for the Government to ban fireworks received 305,579 signatures, prompting MPs to debate the issue in Parliament.

This is what you said on the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page:

Trevor Riant: “Fireworks are dangerous and cause so much distress and harm every year, both by accident from untrained inexperienced handling.

"In the 21st century all forms of explosives, including fireworks, should only be from fully-trained, insured public displays.”

Sheila Glennie: “They should only be used in organised displays, I'm sure people would be happy to pay to attend an organised display.

“Every council should arrange one in all local areas, so much safer.”

Dawn Riddell: “Fireworks should not be available for sale to the general public. Vulnerable people are frightened and confused by them. I would like to see the sale of fireworks stopped altogether.”

Catherine Miles: “I have seen severely injured children and animals, they should have been banned years ago.”

Fiona Harrison: “As usual there are a minority that spoil things for the rest and behave irresponsible. They can’t be trusted.”

Michael Doherty: “Having seen the damage fireworks can do to the human body, I would say definitely ban them.”

James Clare: “Why does everything have to be banned? If people just took care and told their neighbours when they were going to have fireworks then surely that should be sufficient?

“Can't people just be considerate, rather than having to ban things?"

Lynne C Taylor: “Selling explosives to the general public is madness.”

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