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FIREWORKS |
"Fireworks"
Fireworks are any composition or device, in a
finished state, containing any combustible or explosive substance for
the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion,
explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and classified as common or
special fireworks by the United States Bureau of Explosives or
continued in the regulations of the United States Department of
Transportation and designated as U.N. 0335 1.3G or U.N. 0336 1.4G as
of April 1975.
"Fire Nuisance"
"Fire Nuisance" means anything or any act which
increases, or may cause an increase of, the hazard or menace of fire
to a greater degree than customarily recognized as normal by persons
in the public service of preventing, suppressing, or extinguishing
fire; or which may obstruct, delay, or hinder, or may become the cause
of any obstruction, delay, or a hindrance to the prevention or
extinguishment of fire. (WAC 70.77.165)
Seizure of fireworks.
Any fireworks which are
illegally sold, offered for sale, used, discharged, possessed or
transported in violation of the provisions of this chapter or the
rules or regulations of the *director of community, trade, and
economic development, through the director of fire protection, shall
be subject to seizure by the *director of community, trade, and
economic development through the director of fire protection, or his
or her deputy, or by state agencies or local governments having
general law enforcement authority. Any fireworks seized by legal
process anywhere in the state may be disposed of by the *director of
community, trade, and economic development, through the director of
fire protection, or the agency conducting the seizure, by summary
destruction at any time subsequent to thirty days from such seizure or
ten days from the final termination of proceedings under the
provisions of R.W. 70.77.440, whichever is later.
Unlawful possession of fireworks - penalties.
It is unlawful to possess any class or kind
of fireworks in violation of this chapter. A violation of this section
is:
A misdemeanor if involving
less than one pound of fireworks, exclusive of external packaging; or
A gross misdemeanor if
involving one pound or more of fireworks, exclusive of external
packaging. "External packaging" means any materials that are not an
integral part of the operative unit of fireworks.
Unlawful discharge or use of fireworks -
penalty. It is unlawful for any person to
discharge or use fireworks in a reckless manner which creates a
substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person
or damage to the property of another. A violation of this section is a
gross misdemeanor.
Dates and times common fireworks may be sold or
discharged. It is legal to sell, purchase,
use, and discharge common fireworks within this state from twelve
o’clock noon on the twenty-eighth of June to twelve o’clock noon on
the sixth of July of each year and as provided in R.C.W. 70.77.311.
However, no common fireworks may be sold or discharged between the
hours of eleven o’clock p.m. and nine o’clock a.m., except on July 4th
from nine o’clock a.m. though twelve o’clock midnight, and except from
six o’clock p.m. on December 31st until one o’clock a.m. on January
1st of the subsequent year: PROVIDED, That a city or county may
prohibit the sale or discharge of common fireworks on December 31,
1995, by enacting an ordinance prohibiting such sale or discharge
within sixty days of April 17, 1995.
Sale of certain fireworks prohibited.
No fireworks may be sold
or offered for sale to the public as common fireworks which are
classified as sky rockets, or missile-type rockets, firecrackers,
salutes, or chasers as defined by the United States Department of
Transportation and the federal consumer products safety commission
except as provided in R.C.W. 70.77.311.
Age Requirements.
No one younger than 16 will be allowed to buy
fireworks in Washington.
Identification required.
Buyers will have to show picture identification,
and each fireworks stand must post the age limit.
Penalties.
Sales to underage buyers will be a misdemeanor punishable by up to
$1,000 in fines and six months in jail.
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