Lawrence voters may be asked to decide if fireworks will be banned in the city.

During a hearing on the issue Tuesday, Commissioner Marty Kennedy asked city staffers to determine conditions for putting the issue to a citywide vote.

“We need to find out what it would take to let the people make the decision, for a change,” Kennedy said.

Fireworks use is allowed three days a year, July 2-4, in Lawrence. After a devastating fireworks-related apartment fire in 2001, though, commissioners began to consider a possible ban.

More than a dozen people  including the president of the Kansas Fireworks Assn.  spoke to the commission Tuesday about a ban.

Many of the speakers said a ban would infringe on their liberty and their Fourth of July celebrations of freedom. Fireworks retailers said a ban would threaten their businesses.

“There’s a few radicals in this city who want to take our rights away, and we shouldn’t let them,” said Eric Garrett, a Eudora man who operates a fireworks stand during the Independence Day season.

John Barber, president of the Kansas Fireworks Assn., warned that a ban would fly in the face of the country’s post-Sept. 11 mood.

“The swell of patriotism is immense,” Barber said. “You’re going to have to deal with that if you ban fireworks in the city.”

Opponents said most fireworks use is a threat to health, safety and peaceful living in the community.

“The only way to eliminate the danger and noise pollution caused by fireworks is to ban them completely,” said Patricia Sinclair, Lawrence. She displayed debris from “missiles” and bottle rockets she found in her yard after this year’s holiday.

Ray Finch, another Lawrence resident, agreed.

“If my house burns because of some errant bottle rocket, can I hold you responsible?” he asked the commission. “Your first responsibility is to protect all the citizens, including the children.”

Scott Morgan, the Lawrence school board president, spoke as a private citizen in favor of compromise. He suggested limiting fireworks use to only July 4 and working with retailers to end certain promotions such as giving away extra fireworks with large purchases.

But commissioners, with the exception of Kennedy, said they were leaning toward a ban.

“The bottom line for me is, I don’t want to put the Fire & Medical folks, our law enforcement personnel or any child in this community at risk,” Mayor Sue Hack said.

Commissioner Jim Henry said calls and e-mail he has received on the topic have run 20-to-1 in favor of a ban.

“I’m afraid we’re asking for trouble if we don’t address this right away,” he said.

Commissioners said they would discuss the issue at a study session Aug. 21 with the Douglas County Commission.

Fireworks retailers said they must make firm commitments to buy next year’s inventory by January. Commissioners said they want to make a decision by then.

“Obviously,” said Commissioner Mike Rundle, “there’s a long discussion ahead here.”