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Labour MP Sarah Owen said she is optimistic her call for restrictions on the sale of fireworks will be heeded as her Bill is put before MPs
A Labour MP demanding strict new firework laws says she hopes more people swap to using drone light shows instead.
Sarah Owen told The Mirror she is optimistic that new restrictions will be brought forward. On Friday she is set to present a Bill meaning the loudest and most powerful fireworks can only be used in professional displays.
If it is backed by MPs it will also remove a loophole meaning unlicensed sellers can flog them at certain times of year. It follows pressure from animal rights groups and organisations representing veterans and those with PTSD and special educational needs.
But the British Fireworks Association(BFA) hit out at “propaganda coming from anti-firework groups”. Luton North MP Ms Owen said: “Other countries are doing this, why isn’t the market diversifying into drones? I think more people would be interested in drone displays instead of fireworks.
“I get really frustrated, every year we have the same discussion, we know what’s wrong. This has attracted support from places I didn’t expect, from rural Conservatives to MPs of all parties in towns and cities.”
The MP went on: “Other MPs have shown me some horrific videos of fireworks being used as weapons. We hear of cases where people have houses burned down. Fireworks impact people with PTSD, children with SEND and people with pets.
“I went to a primary school on Friday and all of the kids said they get kept up by fireworks, they hate them.” Under Ms Owen’s Bill only smaller fireworks such as sparklers and spinners would be available for the general public to buy.
Bigger bangs like rockets would be restricted. Her proposals also include removing a loophole allowing unlicensed sellers to flog fireworks at busy times including Guy Fawkes Night, Christmas and Diwali.
There would also be restrictions on fireworks sold online and on social media. The Kennel Club estimates that fireworks season sees an 81% increase in dogs going missing. Meanwhile almost three quarters of veterans surveyed in 2023 said they want more restrictions on their sale.
The British Fireworks Assocation (BFA) hit back, branding the Bill “well-intentioned” but “based upon misinformation, anecdote, and propaganda coming from anti-firework groups”. It said: “While acknowledging the concerns around the wilful misuse of fireworks, the BFA believes that overly restrictive measures will have unintended consequences and inadvertently fuel a black market.
“How fireworks are made, tested, stored, transported, sold, and used is already very heavily regulated. The authorities have a large degree of control which most people abide by; a black market will mean that all control is lost.”