Council Will Consider Lifting Ban on Heavy Fireworks, Again

Days after Mayor Greg Fischer signed an ordinance banning large fireworks, the Metro Council is poised to again legalize them.An ordinance allowing the sale of large fireworks passed out of Louisville Metro’s Public Safety Committee this week and will go before the full council next Thursday. This will be the third fireworks-related law proposed since the state began allowing heavy fireworks sales this year.After state law was changed, the council passed a measure allowing the sale of large fireworks like roman candles or powder kegs. Last week, the council reversed and passed a ban by one vote.But two council members who were absent at last week’s meeting will likely favor lifting the ban again, said Councilman Jerry Miller, D-19. Councilwoman Madonna Flood, D-24, who sponsored the previous ordinance, will try likely try to block it, he said.“I fully expect she’ll attach some form of amendment or try to have an amendment passed that  will make it not an economic possibility for a small business person to open up something like a Powder Keg Fireworks across the river,” Miller said.The new ordinance will allow the sale of heavy fireworks only from permanent buildings or structures; tents may continue selling lighter fireworks like prior to 2011, he said.“The larger fireworks that are newly legalized by the state legislature will be able to be sold year round,” Miller said.Miller also dismissed the idea that injuries this Independence Day were more severe than previous years, a claim that some council members testified to in last week’s meeting.