Formerly, common fireworks intended for the consumer market were classified as "Class C" explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and fireworks intended for professional displays by licensed technicians (such as those at July 4th fireworks displays) were classified as "Class B". The "Class A" designation was for high explosives used in industry and construction such as dynamite. Nowadays an international United Nations classification system is used in the U.S. with Class 1.3 the equivalent of the old Class B, and Class 1.4 the equivalent of the old Class C.
Federal law regulates the explosive content of common consumer (Class 1.4 or Class C) fireworks. Since 1966, consumer fireworks exceeding these regulations have been illegal, these include M-80s, silver salutes, and cherry bombs. A common sight in the U.S. in the 1950s and early 1960s was the roadside stand selling cherry bombs, M-80s and other now-illegal fireworks. Today, fireworks stands are still a common sight in many U.S. states but the explosive content of fireworks is much less than it was before 1966. Some states regulate fireworks sales to allow them only in the period on and immediately before July 4th and/or December 31st. Some states allow fireworks sales year round. There are also some U.S. states, mostly in the northeast but also including the states of Georgia and Arizona, which ban fireworks altogether, and California only allows fireworks deemed "safe and sane" by the state government and bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other fireworks that don't have the state government's approval. All of these regulations are often cited as examples of the nanny state restricting personal freedom in the name of "protecting the children", "fire prevention", "safety", etc.
Types of fireworks
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Smoke bombs
- Shells and other professional display fireworks
- M-80s, silver salutes, cherry bombs, and other illegal fireworks (illegal since 1966)
- Weingart, George W. Pyrotechnics, 1947. A classic reference book on fireworks of all kinds.
- Pyrotechnics FAQ, How Pyrotechnics Works and other references, accessed July 3, 2007
- The Fireworks Alliance - working to keep fireworks legal in America