Fireworks at home? More people want them banned or restricted, new poll shows

ORLANDO, Fla. – July 4 is Thursday, but the fireworks have already begun to go off in neighborhoods around Central Florida.

For many, nothing says Independence Day like a colorful pyrotechnic display. Even John Adams spoke of fireworks when he wrote Abigail about how the day should be celebrated: “With pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

But some Americans would like their neighbors to not celebrate quite so much.

A new poll by Florida Atlantic University’s Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab asked the question: “Would you support stricter regulations or bans on the sale and use of consumer fireworks in your area to reduce the noise and the stress they cause for people and pets?”

Of the 961 registered U.S. voters surveyed, 27.3% said fireworks should not be allowed.

Another 26.8% said fireworks should be restricted to certain hours.

Meanwhile, 21.9% said fireworks were fine if used responsibly, while 5.4% said there should be no restrictions.

About 18.6% had no opinion.

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FAU found the results cut along gender, age and political party: Women were more likely to support restrictions or banning (28% and 29.7%, respectively), while men were more likely to say the fireworks were fine if used responsibly, or that there should be no restrictions (23.6% and 6.7%, respectively).

People over 50 were more likely to say fireworks should be restricted or banned, while people 18-49 were more likely to say they were fine if used responsibly.

And Democrats are more likely to say fireworks should be banned (31.1%) or restricted (31.7%). Independent voters also agreed, to a lesser extent (26.5% and 38.8%, respectively), while Republican voters were more likely to say fireworks were fine if used responsibly (25.9%), or should be allowed with no restrictions (7.2%).

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law in 2020 allowing people to legally launch fireworks on three days out of the year: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July. You can read the law HERE.

Want to see bigger, more professional fireworks displays? We have a list of Fourth of July events.

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