Lawrence city commissioners gave initial approval Tuesday to an ordinance banning fireworks during the July Fourth holiday, despite continuing protests from fireworks vendors.

Commissioners said they had received more positive than negative comments since they directed city staffers to draft the ordinance.

“I’m not about to change my mind at this point in time,” Commissioner Jim Henry said. “To me, it’s clearly a public safety issue and the community will be far better off.”

But there was growing evidence the issue could play a part in the April 1 city commission election. Commissioner Mike Rundle, who faces re-election, said friends and political supporters had been angered by his vote for a ban.

“Doing the right thing for Lawrence takes precedence for me over these friendships and political support,” he said.

Commissioner Marty Kennedy continued to be the lone vote in opposition to a ban, saying he wanted to know more about the cost of enforcing the ordinance during a lean budget era for the city.

“I would like to know that before I jump at this ordinance, due to the budgetary impact,” Kennedy said.

Until now, the city has allowed fireworks during select hours July 2-4. Sales inside city limits were prohibited, but they flourish in the unincorporated parts of Douglas County, and city residents were allowed to store fireworks if done in accordance with safety codes.

After a fireworks-related apartment fire in 2001, city commissioners began considering a ban. City officials also have complained about debris from fireworks left on streets and in parks after Independence Day.

The ordinance would ban all fireworks except novelties such as “party poppers,” “snappers” and “toy smoke devices.”

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Members of the Douglas County Fireworks Assn. attended Tuesday’s meeting and asked commissioners to change their minds.

“It’s a tradition,” said Gary Bartz, a fireworks vendor. “We hate to see it go.”

Commissioners rejected the suggestion the issue go to a citywide referendum.

“As a city commissioner, I was elected to weigh issues and make difficult decisions,” Commissioner David Dunfield said, “not to pass those decisions off just because they upset some friends or even some family members.”

Dunfield, Henry and Rundle voted for the ordinance; Mayor Sue Hack was absent because of a family emergency. Commissioners deferred action on an accompanying ordinance giving firefighters power to issue citations to violators of the fireworks ban.

City Manager Mike Wildgen said officials expected enforcement to be tough.

“We know there will be challenges next year,” he said. “Everyone has recognized that.”

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