Bob Barr

'Rockets' Red Glare' on Endangered List
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
June 27, 2007

Historians have long known the Chinese invented fireworks during the Han Dynasty (200 B.C.), but until a recent cache of ancient tablets was uncovered in an archeological dig, little was known about the early use of this product. Thanks to this recent discovery, we now know that even during the early years of their availability over two millennia ago, government officials viewed fireworks as the extremely dangerous, if not downright subversive substance that officials in Georgia have come to know them to be.

For example, in one of the recently unearthed ancient manuscripts, a Chinese regional governor cautions the populace that "any use of the glorious but dangerous pao chuk ("bursting bamboo") by a private person shall, upon discovery, be punished by the immediate decapitation of the offender." "In this way," the ancient edict continues, "shall the harmony, peace, safety and prosperity of the people be maintained."

Actually, I have no idea if such an ancient writing was ever issued or uncovered. In fact, I doubt it. For one thing, the ancient Chinese apparently believed the explosive sound of a firecracker would drive evil spirits away. Their use was not only tolerated but probably encouraged. After the Italian explorer Marco Polo brought fireworks to Europe in the late 13th century, their use spread quickly throughout the continent, and by the middle of the 18th century, huge displays of fireworks at major public events became commonplace. In America, as in England, fireworks became associated with important public celebrations including, beginning July 4, 1777, anniversaries of the signing of our Declaration of Independence.

Not only have public fireworks displays become an American tradition, but until recently, young children and teenagers from Maine to Oregon were able to engage in the fun of lighting a few sparklers—the most benign form of fireworks—or launching a couple of bottle rockets from a Coke bottle in their backyard.

No more. In many modern-day American communities, including here in Georgia, the occasional "boom" of a small firecracker or the star-like brilliance of a sparkler has become as rare as a high school rifle team.

Even though in a nod to personal freedom in 2005, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation "allowing" use of sparklers, a number of recent local ordinances severely limit or outlaw the actual use of even these benign devices.

For example, the commissions for Towns and Union counties in northeast Georgia just recently ordered a ban on fireworks of any kind, including the nefarious "sparklers." In a deft bit of sophistry, the drafters of the ban said their intent was not "restrictive," but merely "protective." Government isn't "restricting" private behavior, it is simply "protecting" the citizenry. In perhaps the best example of post-Sept. 11 Big Brother-ism, the ban explicitly urges citizens to report violators to the authorities.

The paranoia over fireworks in the Peach State is not limited to North Georgia. Ware County, in South Georgia, for example, proudly proclaims as part of its fireworks ban that violators will be fined up to $1,000 and two months in jail. Can decapitation be far behind? Powder Springs, part of what some consider the enlightened Atlanta metropolitan area, has gone so far as to ban rolls of paper caps used in toy pistols. Other local governments have transcended prohibitions on personal use of fireworks and banned even the highly regulated public displays on July Fourth. The northwest Georgia municipalities of Woodstock and Cartersville fall into this category.

Now, I fully appreciate the fact that dry weather increases the risks of fires starting because of sparks or heat from any number of sources, including fireworks and outdoor grills. All potential fire-causing products ought to be used responsibly and maturely, and their negligent misuse punished. But to single out fireworks for draconian measures is neither responsible nor fair. Outlawing rolls of caps or threatening to send a parent to jail for lighting a sparkler for their toddler child illustrates government power at its worst, not its best.

This fireworks hysteria represents a troubling trend in modern-day government. Even though the number of fireworks-related injuries has decreased by some 90 percent in the past 30 years according to industry statistics, and even though only a relative handful of individuals cause injury or property damage from improper use of fireworks products, the knee-jerk reaction of government—especially, it seems, local government Republicans—is to prohibit everyone from using the potentially dangerous product. This is the same shibboleth that lies at the heart of the gun control arguments advanced by liberals over the past four decades.

One of the few bright lights in this nonsense is the city of Roswell, which considered banning its traditional July Fourth fireworks display, but decided not to. We might hope such a rare glimmer of common sense might prove contagious, but I wouldn't break out the celebratory sparklers yet.

Bob Barr occupies the 21st Century Liberties Chair for Freedom and Privacy at the American Conservative Union Foundation.