Indiana Fireworks Bans Hitting Dealers Hard
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Fireworks retailers around Indiana say they’re seeing a big hit to sales because of the fireworks bans being put in place amid the state’s drought conditions.
Some retailers maintain that many customers are confused by some counties prohibiting fireworks even though they believe state law allows them to be set off on private property around the Fourth of July.
Most of Indiana’s 92 counties had open burning bans in place on Monday and many of them have issued emergency orders banning fireworks. Kosciusko County officials did ban the use of personal fireworks initially, but on Friday lifted that ban issuing a statement they hoped county residents will use common sense.
The Indiana Fireworks Distributors Association said it believes counties are overstepping their boundaries by prohibiting personal use of fireworks but that it will not challenge the bans in court.
“Fireworks is a two week out of the year business, and some people depend on their livelihood for this,” Michael Encapera of Patriotic Fireworks in Indianapolis. “So it will definitely affect their pocketbook.”