We’re still more than five months away from what’s unofficially known as the biggest fireworks day of the year on July 4th but efforts to allow more Iowans to legally participate in such an activity have already ignited.
District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman of Adel has made the legalization of fireworks in Iowa a priority of his since he first started as a lawmaker in 2012. So far, there hasn’t been a vote on the issue in either Chamber of state government but Chapman believes this year could be it.
“I’m very optimistic it will (pass). We continue to work in a bipartisan manner to craft legislation that’s responsible, that promotes education and that can be enforced by law enforcement” says Chapman.
He feels that if the legislation is well thought out and focused on safety, Iowa can see a decrease in injuries like other states have.
“To me it’s an issue of having a freedom that 40 plus other states are enjoying that we currently don’t have here in Iowa. I’ve heard from many, many constituents that are very supportive and sure would like that opportunity to shoot them off safely and legally.”
So far, legislation legalizing the use of fireworks has not yet been introduced this session.