On this Independence Day, Fireworks Represent the Mindset of the Virginia Parties

I’ve never been much of a fireworks guy. On occasion, my family and I have celebrated independence with a pyrotechnic flash and bang along with a whiff of phosphorous in a small group. There’s no doubt that it’s a lot of fun and brings a degree of excitement and community when the neighborhood gathers to see a bottle rocket scream off into the night or a Roman candle light up the culdesac.

But certainly, of late “public safety” has curtailed the use of fireworks. Several states significantly limit the use of these novelties and Virginia has been one of them.

It’s not without good reason. The United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission tracks fireworks injuries and, not surprisingly, there is a significant uptick in injuries around Independence Day. According to the CPSC’s annual fireworks report from 2013-2016, the average number of fireworks-related injuries treated at hospitals have been 7500. Of all fireworks-related injuries per year, roughly two-thirds occur in the month surrounding July 4.

All said, just like the use of firearms, automobiles, power tools, ladders, electrical repair, playing sports – there is just about an inherent risk in everything we do.

At some point, there has to be a balance between the role of the state in controlling individual behavior and the right of the individual to engage in commerce and live their life.

Hence, our recent debate between Ed Gillespie, the GOP gubernatorial candidate and Ralph Northam, his Democratic opponent.

While fireworks might seem like a benign public policy discussion, and maybe even a gimmick to get people to take notice in the race, it illustrates a key point between the two parties: One seeks to have faith in personal responsibility, while the other says that the state must regulate and control individual actions.

Gillespie is proposing relaxing Virginia’s laws and permitting the sale of consumer-grade fireworks in Virginia. His plan is to bring more economic freedom and commerce to the state.

“We need to be looking for every possible way we can grow our economy, create good jobs, and give Virginians more personal freedom along the way. As we approach the Fourth of July we know many Virginians will travel to Tennessee, West Virginia, South Carolina or other states to buy fireworks that they will safely use to celebrate our nation’s independence. We’re missing out on that sales tax revenue and thousands of jobs. Statistics show that fireworks continue to get safer, and I know we can trust Virginians with the same liberties millions of other Americans now enjoy.”

Northam, while not releasing a statement about the policy, said through a spokesman that “Dr. Northam likes fireworks as much as anyone, but he also wants to make sure you can afford health care in case you accidentally blow your hand off with one.”

In other words, a deflection from the Northam camp to not answer a question whether they would support changing the law. They’d rather focus on a national debate that the current state government really has no control over. Smart people know what Northam is really saying: He prefers the status quo.

This is significant because the State Senate has already indicated that they are ready and willing to ease back these “nanny-state” regulations with former state Senator and now Congressman Tom Garrett, Senator Bryce Reeves, Senator Bill Stanley and Senator David Sutterlein leading the way. Should Gillespie be elected governor, it is not a stretch to think that deregulation would happen this upcoming session and Virginians would be able to celebrate their “independence” responsibly by July 4, 2018.

Should Northam be elected, the state will continue to dictate what the individual can and cannot do – and it extends far beyond fireworks (think energy, healthcare, education, transportation, technology, firearms, and a myriad of other public policy issues).

Happy Independence Day, indeed.