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Fireworks laws aren't stopping Rock Port sales

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By MICAH MERTES / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 - 12:36:37 am CDT

ROCK PORT, Mo. — That guy with the Nebraska plates is getting ready to smuggle a trunk load of illegal fireworks back home.

He’s got bottle rockets, artillery shells, a giant Excalibur sword, that kind of thing. All of it is big, loud and aggressive; most of it is illegal to own in Nebraska.

He made the trip from Blair, he says. And he didn’t come all this way and didn’t buy all these fireworks just to be sold out by a newspaper reporter. So he doesn’t want his name in the paper. No need to alert the cops, he says.

Story Photo
The Fireworks Emporium is just one of several fireworks stands near Rock Port just off I-29. (Robert Becker)

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He agrees to show his fireworks, then hesitates.

“You’re not a cop are you? You’ve got to tell me if you are.”

Every year in the weeks before the Fourth of July, Nebraskans take off like a bottle rocket to Rock Port, a town of 1,400 just a shade east of Nebraska and south of Iowa. The town is renowned as the spot to buy all the fireworks you can’t in neighboring states.

While it’s legal to buy fireworks in Rock Port, it’s unlawful to bring them into Nebraska. But if the sheer number of license plates from anywhere but Missouri were any indication, that wasn’t stopping many people.

At the seven fireworks stands scattered throughout Rock Port, cars in the parking lots had more Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas tags than Missouri plates. At 1 p.m. Wednesday at Liberty Fireworks, eight of 10 of the customers’ cars were from Nebraska.

“Most of the customers we get are from out of state,” said Larry Flanagan, owner of three of the seven stands in Rock Port. Other managers and owners also said out-of-state customers are the norm.

Those customers are tight-lipped and look paranoid. They don’t want to get caught.

“Customers will seem nervous because most of them have to get back into their state,” said Kim Bredensteiner, manager of Fireworks World for 14 years. “They’ll ask if there are checkpoints anywhere.”

And there’s good reason to be paranoid.

This week, the Nebraska State Patrol and the State Fire Marshal will set up checkpoints on the Nebraska-Missouri state line, searching vehicles coming back from Rock Port.

“We’re always on the look-out,” said Deb Collins, public information officer for the State Patrol, “but it’s more prevalent this time of year than in other times.”

If you’re caught crossing the state line with illegal fireworks, Collins said, you will be fined $50 plus court fees, and all your fireworks will be confiscated. However, police can’t stop you and search your vehicle unless you’re stopped at a checkpoint or pulled over for another violation.

At least one of the sellers at a Rock Port fireworks stand thinks enforcement of fireworks regulation is a little extreme — a bit silly even.

“With all the drug and meth problems that are out there, the Nebraska State Patrol has better things to be looking for than fireworks,” said Todd Simmons of Poor Boy’s Fireworks.

Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.


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me wrote on July 3, 2008 5:23 am:
" Like the man said, “With all the drug and meth problems that are out there, the Nebraska State Patrol has better things to be looking for than fireworks.” 'Nuff said. "

 connie wrote on July 3, 2008 5:54 am:
" This is pretty silly. Wouldn't it be better for nebraska to just bring our fireworks laws in line with Missouri's? That way people wouldn't have to go all that way to buy fireworks, Nebraska people could make some money setting up fireworks stands and Nebraska police wouldn't have to waste all that money trying to stop somehing that isn't that terrible, and really can't be stopped anyway. Most people I know buy fireworks in other states months before now anyway. "

 GasMiser wrote on July 3, 2008 6:37 am:
" I don't buy illegal fireworks. But I think enforcement could be better spent elsewhere. I am at far more danger from the kids across the street who act irresponsibly with their "legal" fireworks, than I am from adults and children who are shooting off their "illegal" fireworks in a safe and responsible manner. "

 W.G.Ahlers wrote on July 3, 2008 6:49 am:
" "This week, the Nebraska State Patrol...will set up checkpoints on the Nebraska-Missouri state line, searching vehicles coming back from Rock Port."

Wow, there must be absolutely no drugs, drug dealers, prostitutes, pimps, rapists, murderers, arsonists, drunk drivers or speeders at all left in the state of Nebraska for them to set up check points to bust people for only "$50 plus court fees." "

 Tom wrote on July 3, 2008 7:33 am:
" Thank God we have a Wild West administration who implements an “anything goes” policy. What is peculiar is that we even have legislative bodies and pay people to, ha, ha,; enforce the law. Having a hapless governor and a complacent law enforcement system keeps illegal activities alive and doing well. The ease and wide spread defiance of laws mocks the city council and other figure head positions who essentially seem to be parrots full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Smuggling has become an expected right and government seems to accept that illegal behaviors are fine, as long as the don’t ask, don’t tell arrangement continues. Nebraska, the good life provides sanctuary for offenders .ranging from illegal immigrants to illegal fireworks and illegal drugs. "

 Little Whiteclay wrote on July 3, 2008 7:43 am:
" Maybe Nebraskans for Peace should st up checkpoints like they do in whiteclay. It wold help stem the flow of illegal fireworks into Nebraska "

 Mike wrote on July 3, 2008 7:52 am:
" Todd Simmons is right on. Until the police stop all of the serious crime, such as meth, and solve all the murders, they should lay off of the people trying to celebrate their freedoms. "

 Dumb Laws wrote on July 3, 2008 7:52 am:
" What's up with the dumb laws here in Nebraska? Why can we have artillery shells that explode with a shower of sparks, but we can't have a bottle rocket that goes POP! and goes away? It is just this kind of bizarre dichotomy that leaves sensible people shaking their heads. It makes others disrespect the silliness of the laws we have here, and they flout them. I'm not endorsing buying fireworks in MO, but I understand why people do. "

 Doy wrote on July 3, 2008 8:43 am:
" Celebrate your "freedom" by giving a ton more money to China. Really well thought out. Why not spend your money on your children, landscaping your yard, buying some new books, getting a zoo membership, or any other wiser more important project? I just don't get it. "

 valdisfoxy wrote on July 3, 2008 8:54 am:
" Nebraska's laws on this matter are antiquated and (sound familiar?) cause us to lose revenue to neighboring states with same laws--Missourri and South Dakota in the case of consumer fireworks. Be it gambling, vehicle tag fees, fireworks, tuition, property taxes--yet again, Nerdbraska shows an annoying preference for restricting people's choices to the point of driving them to other states. I bought $300 worth of "illegal" fireworks in Rockport this year, $500 last year and so on. Who will stop folks like me? NO ONE. Do you hear me? And don't give me all that crap about missing thumbs, maimed kids and houses on fire. Any law enforcement worker will tell you, it's alcohol, not fireworks, that causes the lion's share of injuries, accidents, damage and even deaths on the fourth, not a ten-cent bottle rocket. The Fourth is to celebrate our nation's INDEPENDENCE from tyranny, arbitrary taxation, fear, etc. etc. But if all the old biddies, curmudgeons and worry-worts want to press their feeble attempt to remove all joy from the celebration, go ahead and try. My patriotic friends (we call ourselves "Americans") will be over to stuff an artilliary shell up your repressive, uptight kiester. "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 3, 2008 9:17 am:
" First off, don't complain about the police enforcement - they either have to enforce laws they didn't write (and may not agree with) or face criticism that nothing is being done.

Secondly, only a fool buys fireworks in Mizzou in late June/early July. Plan ahead people! Get there early before the checkpoints are set up. "

 Crazy boomer wrote on July 3, 2008 9:27 am:
" We used to have them as kids and I bet there are more casualties now! I must say I errrrrrrrrrrrr know Boom boom ciminals!!

(however those with the m80's and higher that is dangerous, you know who you are stop selling them to kids and making them!) "

 Yup wrote on July 3, 2008 9:31 am:
" Interesting, people complain about laws they don't like, but expect police to enforce laws they do like. I'm sure there are people that say police have better things to do than arrest a drug user/dealer, a robber, a drunk driver etc. Let's just all pick out laws we don't want to obey and tell police to back off. Yeah, that makes sense. "

 JoBeth wrote on July 3, 2008 9:40 am:
" Another thig NE won't allow that reduces revenue. What a waste of time and money. This state could be getting sales tax money on all those fireworks, and we just gave it away. Look at all the cars at the casinos. Most are NE plates. Another way to give our money to a neighboring state. Wake up people. "

 A true patriot wrote on July 3, 2008 9:49 am:
" If you buy fireworks don't complain about the cost of gas or groceries.
You get nothing for your money and you literally have money to burn. "

 Matt C wrote on July 3, 2008 10:06 am:
" Have you ever spent a few hours with the guys at Liberty fireworks? They make the holiday a little more fun and interesting. It's a tradition I will always enjoy whether or not Nebraska allows fireworks. Nothing like watching the little kids walking through the store anticipating what firework is around the corner. So if you want some fun, go say hi to Jay, Jon, Brice, Larry and everyone else at Rockport. "

 umm wrote on July 3, 2008 10:37 am:
" Yeah, I particularly letting my kids know it's OK to pick and choose which laws you feel like obeying. "

 th Lover wrote on July 3, 2008 10:48 am:
" The one item I can't stand that comes from MO is the rockets. Bottle Rockets and Tiger Rockets are some of the most dangerous fireworks there are. Not because of their power but because of the unpredictable behavior. Some go up and perform properly but there are a good number of them that don't and those can go anywhere. We welcome almost any fireworks at our party but we draw the line at the rockets. Even the legal artillery shells have issues, how many times have your seen one detonate just after it clears the top of the tube.

Have a fun and safe 4th... "

 great idea wrote on July 3, 2008 10:48 am:
" Fireworks are a WASTE of money. Instead of each family buying their own and shooting them off, why doesn't everyone who wishes to enjoy fireworks donate money to the city of their choice and attend that show. Then they would be bigger and better for ALL to enjoy. And we would have less fires and injuries. "

 The facts Doy wrote on July 3, 2008 10:54 am:
" Doy if you spend your money on Blackcats they are all made about 20 miles East of Kansas City so you are buying an American made product. Also I think almost all fireworks are made in the US anymore just the packaging is from the Middle East. "

 Lincolnite wrote on July 3, 2008 10:54 am:
" How are these "checkpoints" legal??? If the troopers have probable cause (moving violation, expired plates, etc.), then by all means pull people over and ask to perform a check. If there isn't probable cause then this is outrageous! I get scary chills just thinking about this. I'm not sure if many, if any, of you remember the 1980's television mini-series "V", a saga of an alien fascist takeover of the world. I remember the chilling scenes of checkpoints where people were stopped and harrassed for no probable reason. How ironic that this is going to be going on on the weekend that we are supposed to be celebrating our nation's freedom. I am looking forward to being stopped and harrassed this weekend, even though I will have nothing illegal in my vehicle. Our founding fathers are likely spinning in their graves. "

 Alan wrote on July 3, 2008 11:02 am:
" Didn't make it to Rock Port this year but did go to the county to spend my money. Lincoln must lose tens of thousands of dollars in sales tax due to the fireworks restrictions.

It's the responsibility of a free man to ignore an unjust law. "

 Chris wrote on July 3, 2008 11:03 am:
" Connie, et al. you are absolutely right. But when is it above the Nebraska government to be silly. We make an even worse decision when we allow all that casino money to flow into Iowa all in the name of family values. Take a hint Nebraska Gov't: You can't legislate morality, no matter how hard you try, people will do what they want to do. And why shouldn't they? What a waste of money, and a loss of potential revenue. "

 I wrote on July 3, 2008 11:19 am:
" I wonder what the reasons are for some of those fireworks to be illegal in nebraska, but okay in missouri? I do think it's a waste of time to set up check points just to search for them. Can't you refuse a search even at a checkpoint? Not that I plan on driving to Rock Port, I was just curious. "

 Paul wrote on July 3, 2008 11:27 am:
" I think that people have to start making Nebraska pay for this law. Just like there is pressure for casinos in Nebraska, people should buy the fireworks in Missouri and shoot them off *there*, as close to the Nebraska border as possible. Do this every year until the law is overturned. "

 Chrys wrote on July 3, 2008 11:38 am:
" There are reasons some of those fireworks are illegal in Nebraska. For some of those, the reasons are very valid and the laws save lives. So those officers are doing their jobs - saving lives - when they confiscate illegal fireworks.

I'm just as eager as anyone to get drunk and play with gunpowder. But, the stuff we can legally purchase in Lincoln has plenty of boom and flash. Theres no reason to risk a ticket and waste gas to get just a little more danger. "

 Funny wrote on July 3, 2008 11:41 am:
" Anyone ever notice the sign on the doors of those places in Mo.

"Its illegal to sell fireworks to Mo. Residents..."

Almost all of their business is out of state people SMUGGLING fireworks that are illegal in their home states. "

 Warming wrote on July 3, 2008 11:57 am:
" Just another american bad habit that contributes to global warming. Burning hundreads of thousands of gallons of fossil fuels (which cuts supplies and rives up prices) to spend money out of state (giving tax revenue to MO and not Nebraska) in order to by items that create smoke, poulltion, and greenhouses gases. Far as I am concerned, all fireworks should be banned due the pollution they make. Save your money and gas folks, or better yet, donate that money to an environmental group or use it to buy carbon offset credits "

 Priorities wrote on July 3, 2008 12:03 pm:
" My friend spent over a grand to landscape his yard in a newer neighborhood where there are barely any trees and plants. His neighbors all wondered in amazement that he would spend all that money on trees and plants. Then that summer they all hung out in the street and blew up hundreds of dollars of fireworks each. I think that is just plain weird. "

 Dan wrote on July 3, 2008 12:06 pm:
" The Nebraska-Missouri state line is very small. Just drive up I-29 to Omaha. Don't go through Nebraska City. You have to go to Omaha and stay on the Interstate. They can't stop Interstate traffic with a road block. However, they can on regular highways. You could also take dirt roads back. "

 Nebraska City wrote on July 3, 2008 12:19 pm:
" They usually set up a checkpoint at the Nebraska/Iowa line also but anyone who lives around Southeast Nebraska can tell you there are backroads that everyone uses..the checkpoints should be used for just causes like finding criminals, drug searches, even an Amber Alert but I guess the big bad fireworks are more dangerous! Sounds like the State Patrol needs to get priorities straight and make better use of their time- like pulling over the reckless speeders we all see on I-29 into Missouri! FYI- umm...if you look for the checkpoint you can avoid the checkpoint-theres always a way! Happy Red, White and BOOM while we can still buy smoke balls in Nebraska..LOL! "

 little more wrote on July 3, 2008 12:33 pm:
" the folks that live in MO and SD can buy fireworks, but only in a short time frame around the 4th. "

 Snakes and Sparklers wrote on July 3, 2008 12:41 pm:
" Snakes and Sparklers are the only good fireworks anyways...and they are sold right here in Lincoln! The other fireworks are illegal for a reason - if you don't like write your city council person, state senator, governor - even write the President of the USA and tell him you can't blow up stuff in the good ole state of Nebraska. Let me get this straight..Mr. Simmons of Poor Boy Fireworks of Drug Infested Missouri - you are complaining about Nebraska's drug problem? Missouri is ranked 16th in violent crime, Nebraska is 30. Missouri had 1189 meth labs in 2007 compared to Nebraska's 16. Nebraska doesn't have a drug or meth problem but obviously your state does. Go get them NSP!! "

 Renee wrote on July 3, 2008 12:49 pm:
" I think all these fireworks being illegal is crazy. Its the only time of the year that people can have fun. I think the only LEGAL fireworks are sparklers and snakes. Most ppl. says that smoke bomb should be illegal... "

 Illegal wrote on July 3, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Illegals are crossing the border!!!! Illegals are crossing the border!!!! Oh, what? Nevermind, it is only illegal fireworks. Illegal immigrants on the other hand, would have been cause for alarm. While both are illegal people only seem to care about one.

I know that illegal immigrants present a much larger problem, but most people who have an uproar over the immigrants describe themselves as "legal, law-abiding citizens." I don't think it is fair to just shrug off these violators then, after all, they aren't law-abiding either. Just think of all the tax dollars being wasted in Missouri. Illegals! "

 SB wrote on July 3, 2008 12:53 pm:
" Want to make something more appealing?...just outlaw it…same goes for booze, gambling, etc. "

 Galen wrote on July 3, 2008 12:58 pm:
" If we outlaw fireworks, then only Outlaws will have fireworks...... "

 Surely you realize wrote on July 3, 2008 1:00 pm:
" Checkpoints often lead to arrests of people with outstanding warrants, drug busts, illegal immigrant busts....so the point about how they should be focusing on THAT is rather moot. "

 Glenn wrote on July 3, 2008 3:15 pm:
" That's funny and so many swallowed it whole. The fireworks stand owner pointing out that resources could be better spent fighting meth is sorta like the drug dealer pointing out that resources could be better spent fighting theft or murder or whatever. The point is it's illegal. If you don't want the state patrol to enforce the law then have the law changed. "

 warming wrote on July 3, 2008 3:25 pm:
" 'Warming' do you seriously think driving to MO and buying fireworks then shooting off said fireworks is making the planet warmer? Give me a break! "

 TG wrote on July 3, 2008 4:11 pm:
" How many of these folks driving out of state on $4.00 gas to buy a car load worth of fireworks blame George Bush for the "bad" economy and such "hard" times right now.

Gosh, I don't know how we get by in such hard times like these. Drink beer, shoot fireworks, or both I guess. "

 Edgar Pearlstein wrote on July 3, 2008 4:37 pm:
" Yep, that's the way to bring up your kids to be law-abiding citizens. "

 Wow wrote on July 3, 2008 4:51 pm:
" We cant smoke hardly anywhere anymore, can't gamble in Nebraska, can't light off fireworks. What's next? They gonna tell us that we can only breathe for 6 hours out of the day? Set up roadblocks to make sure that we aren't releasing too much carbon dioxide by exhaling? It's becoming a police state in Nebraska. Can't do this....can't do that. No wonder people leave. "

 Know what wrote on July 3, 2008 8:46 pm:
" We live in Missouri and only spent about 25 dollars this year on fireworks. If you make them legal its not as tempting. Although I'm glad that 8 out of ten cars were nebraska because it helps with our property taxes. Keep them illegal in nebraska and we'll reap the rewards. It's just another example of whats important in nebraska. "

 Knox wrote on July 3, 2008 9:23 pm:
" As I type this, illegal (illegal for NE, not just Lincoln) fireworks are going off in the parking lot of my apartment complex. I've of course called the cops but I don't expect them to do much. I sincerely hope some fingers get blown up tonight instead of someone's car. "

 DOC wrote on July 4, 2008 6:45 am:
" Okay Class, everyone that used to go to South Dakota to get fireworks, please stand up. In the good ole' days, never thought I'd hear that come out of my mouth, we used to head to South Dakota and when the coast was clear, we'd ask for the "big ones" that they had under the counter. The cherry bombs and M-80's that were even illegal in South Dakota. Who was the first one to want to take a bite out of the forbidden apple? Have we changed? "

 Pyrotechnics Guild Intl Member wrote on July 4, 2008 7:55 am:
" I love fireworks and am a state and federally licensed display operator. I see a need for both public displays and private ones. There's just no bigger thrill for some than lighting their own items - going and watching someone else light stuff just doesn't cut it!

Many such as myself don't really get a vacation every year so instead of spending money on a vacation we buy some fireworks and have fun with our friends and family - it's just entertainment and entertainment costs whethere you go to a movie, drive to Mr. Rushmore, or whatever.

The reason many of these items are illegal is because of a few that can't exercise common sense and use the items properly. Bottle rockets are a good example, they aren't a real fire danger the reason is because people shoot them at each other! It doesn't occur to them until after someone has gotten an eye put out or something that this isn't a good idea! We can't have certain sparklers because idiots were making bombs out of them - sure they got a big boom but they also did a lot of damage and exposed a lot of people to some pretty serious danger from flying debris (pieces of wire, burning composition, etc.).

All the class c items have been tested and deemed acceptable for use by the general public. Unfortunately many of them have a history of being mis-used and those are the ones that have been banned. Unfortunately as you ban items then the ones left are the ones that get mis-used, as they get mis-used they get banned, so it's a downward spiral. I dunno what the answer is, education maybe but those who can't figure out not to hold on to a roman candle and point it at someone probably wouldn't pay much attention to any educational items presented anyway.

For now enjoy what we can still get, be safe with them and don't mis-use them and maybe we can hold on to them a bit longer.

If you really want the big bang experience just visit your nearest small town and inquire as to who shoots their display and contact them - most would be happy to work with you to present a private display using the larger 1.3g items - if you're not a felon, etc. then it would be entirely allowable for you to fire those items under their supervision and direction. "

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