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Local Fireworks Retailer Says Business Is Booming

Owner of Barely Legal Fireworks says he had a line around the tent on midnight the day he opened.
Owner of Barely Legal Fireworks says he had a line around the tent on midnight the day he opened.

This year is the first year since the 1940s that you can legally buy and use fireworks in some parts of the state.

If you travel westbound on the 104, just past the Monroe/Wayne County Line, you'll see what looks like a circus tent, multicolored and a little out of place in a strip mall parking lot. The sign reads, "Barely Legal Fireworks," which is appropriate not just because of the new state laws but because the owner, Jason Guck, is just 21-years-old.

Guck's been in this business since he was in middle school, but it wasn't until recently that he could bring his inventory north of Pennsylvania. New state laws give counties in New York the option to opt-in to the legal sale and use of certain fireworks, the kind that shower sparks, smoke, whistle, and never leave the ground. Wayne County is one of 31 that opted in. Some retailers can start selling on June 1, but tents like Guck's only have between June 20 and July 5. Guck says he and his customers didn't waste any time.

"The tent was up, I was stocking all my tables, and people were coming to look around and I had to push them out. I had to say, 'You can't buy nothing to midnight.' And midnight of the 20th had a line of people around my tent waiting to buy product."

Guck says these last couple weeks have been like two holiday seasons rolled into one, but not everyone is so enthusiastic about firework legalization.

OPPOSITION BY MONROE COUNTY

Down the street in Monroe County, buying or selling these colorful explosives could get you charged with a misdemeanor. Monroe County lawmakers haven't introduced legislation to opt in. Majority Leader Steve Tucciarello says they're taking a wait-and-see approach.

"There will be counties that are going to have statistics on these issues on these issues that have opted in and we're going to be able to look at what the potential is for injury."

In other words, maybe next year. Tucciarello says they heard a lot of concerns from the fire representatives, like David Sweet. He's a director of the New York Fireman's Association, and a volunteer firefighter in Monroe County. He says, leave the fireworks to the professionals.

"Even though they seem to be safe these sparklers and toys, if you want to call them toys, or other devices can be extremely dangerous."

RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY

Thousands of people across the country are reportedly injured by consumer fireworks this time of year, according to the National Fire Protection Association, but it's not clear what kind of fireworks are contributing to these injuries, and just how bad they are. Doctor Michael Kamali from Strong Memorial Hospital says around here, they see mostly minor injuries like burns, but occasionally, people get really hurt.

"Once in a while we do have some more significant injuries where people have more significant burns as well such as injuries to their eyes or ear injuries, but those are less common."

Kamali says they shouldn't be given to kids, especially. Legally, you have to be 18-years-old to purchase the sparklers in select counties, but not everyone is following the letter of the law. Justin Sullivan came to Guck's stand from neighboring Monroe County.

"For some of the smaller things, yeah, it's not bad. It beats driving to Pennsylvania."

Sullivan was there buying sparklers for his kids. He says he sees them as relatively harmless.

Guck's tent and other fireworks retailers offer safety information for those who are interested. But if you'd like to skip the DIY stuff altogether, or if fireworks are still illegal in your town, there are plenty of options for professional fireworks shows happening all across the region this holiday season.

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.