h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

have fireworks on sale to the general public for weeks before Guy Fawkes Night? Every weekend from now until November 5th, and then sporadically until the new year, the night air will be shattered by explosions that are often not even accompanied by anything to look at.

I thoroughly resent the fact that I can't take my out (even in the garden) after dark because he is completely terrified and I have to rush him out into the garden after midnight when things have quietened down. If it was just a few nights a year it wouldn't be so bad (I have to tranquilise him on Bonfire Night itself although I don't think that stops the fear, it just makes him sleepy and calms his physical reactions) - but it goes on night after night.

I am perfectly happy with professional displays, which are much better than anything you can do at home. I am perfectly happy with people having a responsible firework party at home on or near Bonfire Night.

But I believe the sale of fireworks should be much more closely regulated than it currently is.

I believe that the time when fireworks are on open sale should be tightly restricted to, at most, 2 weeks before Guy Fawkes Night and 2 weeks before New Years Eve, as it seems to have become fashionable to let off fireworks then, too. Fireworks should only be sold to over-eighteens, and this should be strictly policed. Fireworks should only be sold by specially licensed retailers who are checked to ensure they comply with the law.

My dog (and plenty of other dogs) would still be terrified, but not every damned weekend from October to January.

The couldn't care less, as far as I can tell.

I totally agree with you. My present dog is quite bold and not bothered by fireworks but I had a German Shepherd a few years back that was petrified.
I would go a stage further than you and say that the age limit should be 21. These things are just as dangerous as air weapons so I don't think it would be too much of an infringement on civil liberties to have similar laws, ie not to be carried loose or uncovered in public, only to by purchassed by and used under the supervision on someone 21 yrs or older, not to be let off in public places (Organised displays excepted)etc etc..

Yes, I like your plan better. I don't think it will happen anytime soon, though.

Ban home displays of fireworks, ban the sale of fireworks to the public.
I'm not grumpy and want to spoil everyone's fun, but these things are dangerous and shouldn't be allowed. Whatever age they are sold to, people are bloody idiots. Especially when drunk. I know of 30 year olds that mess around with fireworks, so I don't think age is an issue.

Organised displays are much safer, although the really big one near me doesn't have a bonfire anymore.

It does raise questions - you aren't allowed to do all kind of relatively innocuous things (I'm not going to list, anybody can probably think of half a dozen which fit into their own world view) yet you can wander into your local newsagent and buy a big box of explosives without any questions being asked. Damned stupid.